Polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded thereby, and methods of using same for increasing abiotic stress tolerance and/or biomass and/or yield in plants expressing same

ABSTRACT

Provided are methods of increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, and/or increasing biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant. The methods are effected by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663. Also provided are polynucleotides, nucleic acid constructs, polypeptides and transgenic plants expressing same which can be used to increase tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, and/or increase biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/278,086 filed on Sep. 28, 2016 which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/071,715 filed on Nov. 5, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,518,267, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/669,975 filed on Jul. 21, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,686,227, which is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001024 having International Filing Date of Jul. 24, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/935,046 filed on Jul. 24, 2007. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING STATEMENT

The ASCII file, entitled 76245SequenceListing.txt, created on Dec. 13, 2018, comprising 3,948,312 bytes, submitted concurrently with the filing of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to isolated polypeptides and polynucleotides and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of using same for increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, growth, biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

Abiotic stress (ABS; also referred to as “environmental stress”) conditions such as salinity, drought, flood, suboptimal temperature and toxic chemical pollution, cause substantial damage to agricultural plants. Most plants have evolved strategies to protect themselves against these conditions. However, if the severity and duration of the stress conditions are too great, the effects on plant development, growth and yield are profound. Furthermore, most of the crop plants are highly susceptible to ABS and thus necessitate optimal growth conditions for commercial crop yields. Continuous exposure to stress causes major alterations in plant's metabolism which ultimately leads to cell death and consequently yield loss. Thus, despite extensive research and intensive crop-protection measures, losses due to abiotic stress conditions remain in the billions of dollars annually.

Drought is a gradual phenomenon, which involves periods of abnormally dry weather that persists long enough to produce serious hydrologic imbalances such as crop damage and water supply shortage. In severe cases, drought can last many years and result in devastating effects on agriculture and water supplies. With burgeoning population and chronic shortage of available fresh water, drought is not only the number one weather-related problem in agriculture, but it also ranks as one of the major natural disasters of all time, causing not only economic damage (e.g., losses from the US drought of 1988 exceeded $40 billion), but also loss of human lives, as in the 1984-1985 drought in the Horn of Africa which led to a famine that killed 750,000 people. Furthermore, drought is associated with increase susceptibility to various diseases.

For most crop plants, the land regions of the world are too arid. In addition, overuse of available water results in increased loss of agriculturally-usable land (desertification), and increase of salt accumulation in soils adds to the loss of available water in soils.

Salinity, high salt levels, affects one in five hectares of irrigated land. This condition is only expected to worsen, further reducing the availability of arable land and crop production, since none of the top five food crops, i.e., wheat, corn, rice, potatoes, and soybean, can tolerate excessive salt. Detrimental effects of salt on plants result from both water deficit which leads to osmotic stress (similar to drought stress) and the effect of excess sodium ions on critical biochemical processes. As with freezing and drought, high salt causes water deficit; and the presence of high salt makes it difficult for plant roots to extract water from their environment. Soil salinity is thus one of the more important variables that determine whether a plant may thrive. In many parts of the world, sizable land areas are uncultivable due to naturally high soil salinity. Thus, salination of soils that are used for agricultural production is a significant and increasing problem in regions that rely heavily on agriculture, and is worsen by over-utilization, over-fertilization and water shortage, typically caused by climatic change and the demands of increasing population. Salt tolerance is of particular importance early in a plant's lifecycle, since evaporation from the soil surface causes upward water movement, and salt accumulates in the upper soil layer where the seeds are placed. On the other hand, germination normally takes place at a salt concentration which is higher than the mean salt level in the whole soil profile.

Germination of many crops is sensitive to temperature. A gene that would enhance germination in hot conditions would be useful for crops that are planted late in the season or in hot climates. In addition, seedlings and mature plants that are exposed to excess heat may experience heat shock, which may arise in various organs, including leaves and particularly fruit, when transpiration is insufficient to overcome heat stress. Heat also damages cellular structures, including organelles and cytoskeleton, and impairs membrane function. Heat shock may produce a decrease in overall protein synthesis, accompanied by expression of heat shock proteins, e.g., chaperones, which are involved in refolding proteins denatured by heat.

Heat stress often accompanies conditions of low water availability. Heat itself is seen as an interacting stress and adds to the detrimental effects caused by water deficit conditions. Water Evaporative demand exhibits near exponential increases with increases in daytime temperatures and can result in high transpiration rates and low plant water potentials. High-temperature damage to pollen almost always occurs in conjunction with drought stress, and rarely occurs under well-watered conditions. Combined stress can alter plant metabolism in novel ways; therefore understanding the interaction between different stresses may be important for the development of strategies to enhance stress tolerance by genetic manipulation.

Excessive chilling conditions, e.g., low, but above freezing, temperatures affect crops of tropical origins, such as soybean, rice, maize, and cotton. Typical chilling damage includes wilting, necrosis, chlorosis or leakage of ions from cell membranes. The underlying mechanisms of chilling sensitivity are not completely understood yet, but probably involve the level of membrane saturation and other physiological deficiencies. For example, photoinhibition of photosynthesis (disruption of photosynthesis due to high light intensities) often occurs under clear atmospheric conditions subsequent to cold late summer/autumn nights. In addition, chilling may lead to yield losses and lower product quality through the delayed ripening of maize.

Water deficit is a common component of many plant stresses. Water deficit occurs in plant cells when the whole plant transpiration rate exceeds the water uptake. In addition to drought, other stresses, such as salinity and low temperature, produce cellular dehydration.

Salt and drought stress signal transduction consist of ionic and osmotic homeostasis signaling pathways. The ionic aspect of salt stress is signaled via the SOS pathway where a calcium-responsive SOS3-SOS2 protein kinase complex controls the expression and activity of ion transporters such as SOS1. The osmotic component of salt stress involves complex plant reactions that overlap with drought and/or cold stress responses.

Common aspects of drought, cold and salt stress response [Reviewed in Xiong and Zhu (2002) Plant Cell Environ. 25: 131-139] include: (a) transient changes in the cytoplasmic calcium levels early in the signaling event [Knight, (2000) Int. Rev. Cytol. 195: 269-324; Sanders et al. (1999) Plant Cell 11: 691-706]; (b) signal transduction via mitogen-activated and/or calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and protein phosphatases [Merlot et al. (2001) Plant J. 25: 295-303; Tahtiharju and Palva (2001) Plant J. 26: 461-470]; (c) increases in abscisic acid levels in response to stress triggering a subset of responses; (d) inositol phosphates as signal molecules (at least for a subset of the stress responsive transcriptional changes [Xiong et al. (2001) Genes Dev. 15: 1971-1984]; (e) activation of phospholipases which in turn generates a diverse array of second messenger molecules, some of which might regulate the activity of stress responsive kinases [e.g., phospholipase D; Frank et al. (2000) Plant Cell 12: 111-124]; (f) induction of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) type genes including the CRT/DRE responsive COR/RD genes; (g) increased levels of antioxidants and compatible osmolytes such as proline and soluble sugars [Hasegawa et al. (2000) Annu. Rev. Plant Mol. Plant Physiol. 51: 463-499)]; and (h) accumulation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals.

Abscisic acid biosynthesis is regulated by osmotic stress at multiple steps. Both ABA-dependent and -independent osmotic stress signaling first modify constitutively expressed transcription factors, leading to the expression of early response transcriptional activators, which then activate downstream stress tolerance effector genes.

Several genes which increase tolerance to cold or salt stress can also improve drought stress protection, these include for example, the transcription factor AtCBF/DREB1, OsCDPK7 (Saijo et al. 2000, Plant J. 23: 319-327) or AVP1 (a vacuolar pyrophosphatase-proton pump, Gaxiola et al. 2001, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98: 11444-11449).

Developing stress-tolerant plants is a strategy that has the potential to solve or mediate at least some of these problems. However, traditional plant breeding strategies used to develop new lines of plants that exhibit tolerance to ABS are relatively inefficient since they are tedious, time consuming and of unpredictable outcome. Furthermore, limited germplasm resources for stress tolerance and incompatibility in crosses between distantly related plant species represent significant problems encountered in conventional breeding. Additionally, the cellular processes leading to ABS tolerance are complex in nature and involve multiple mechanisms of cellular adaptation and numerous metabolic pathways.

Genetic engineering efforts, aimed at conferring abiotic stress tolerance to transgenic crops, have been described in the art. Studies by Apse and Blumwald (Curr Opin Biotechnol. 13:146-150, 2002), Quesada et al. (Plant Physiol. 130:951-963, 2002), Holmstrom et al. (Nature 379: 683-684, 1996), Xu et al. (Plant Physiol 110: 249-257, 1996), Pilon-Smits and Ebskamp (Plant Physiol 107: 125-130, 1995) and Tarczynski et al. (Science 259: 508-510, 1993) have all attempted at generating stress tolerant plants.

In addition, several U.S. patents and patent applications also describe polynucleotides associated with stress tolerance and their use in generating stress tolerant plants. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,462 and 5,356,816 describe transforming plants with polynucleotides encoding proteins involved in cold adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana for promoting cold tolerance.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,670,528 describes transforming plants with polynucleotides encoding polypeptides binding to stress responsive elements for promoting tolerance to abiotic stress.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,477 describes transforming plants with a polynucleotide encoding a signal transduction stress-related protein, capable of increasing tolerance of the transformed plants to abiotic stress.

U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/938,842 and 10/342,224 describe abiotic stress-related genes and their use to confer upon plants tolerance to abiotic stress.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/231,035 describes overexpressing a molybdenum cofactor sulfurase in plants for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress.

WO2004/104162 to Evogene Ltd. teaches polynucleotide sequences and methods of utilizing same for increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stresses and/or increasing the biomass of a plant.

WO2007/020638 to Evogene Ltd. teaches polynucleotide sequences and methods of utilizing same for increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stresses and/or increasing the biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

WO2007/049275 to Evogene Ltd. teaches isolated polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding same for increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, and/or for increasing biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

Additional background art includes U.S. Patent Appl. Nos. 20060183137A1 A1 and 20030056249A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, the method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to abiotic stress.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, the method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to abiotic stress.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant, the method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663, thereby increasing the biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of the plant.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant, the method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663, thereby increasing the biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of the plant.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence at least 90% identical to the nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a nucleic acid construct comprising the isolated polynucleotide and a promoter for directing transcription of the nucleic acid sequence.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an isolated polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an isolated polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a plant cell comprising an exogenous polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a plant cell comprising an exogenous polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a plant cell comprising an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a plant cell comprising an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659. According to some embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plant cell forms a part of a plant.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of salinity, drought, water deprivation, low temperature, high temperature, heavy metal toxicity, anaerobiosis, nutrient deficiency, nutrient excess, atmospheric pollution and UV irradiation.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprising growing the plant expressing the exogenous polynucleotide under the abiotic stress.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the pGI binary plasmid used for expressing the isolated polynucleotide sequences of the invention. RB—T-DNA right border; LB—T-DNA left border; H—HindIII restriction enzyme; X—XbaI restriction enzyme; B—BamHI restriction enzyme; S—SalI restriction enzyme; Sm—SmaI restriction enzyme; R-I—EcoRI restriction enzyme; Sc—SacI/SstI/Ecl136II; (numbers)—Length in base-pairs; NOS pro=nopaline synthase promoter; NPT-II=neomycin phosphotransferase gene; NOS ter=nopaline synthase terminator; Poly-A signal (polyadenylation signal); GUSintron—the GUS reporter gene (coding sequence and intron) The isolated polynucleotide sequences of the invention were cloned into the vector while replacing the GUSintron reporter gene.

FIGS. 2a-2b are images depicting visualization of root development of plants grown in transparent agar plates. The different transgenes were grown in transparent agar plates for 17 days and the plates were photographed every 2 days starting at day 7. FIG. 2a —An image of a photograph of plants taken following 12 days on agar plates. FIG. 2b —An image of root analysis in which the length of the root measured is represented by the red arrow.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to isolated polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding same, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of using same for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress, growth rate, yield, biomass and/or vigor of a plant.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

While reducing the invention to practice, the present inventors have identified novel polypeptides and polynucleotides which can be used to increase tolerance to abiotic stress, and improve growth rate, biomass, yield and/or vigor of a plant.

Thus, as shown in the Examples section which follows, the present inventors have employed a bioinformatics approach which combines clustering and assembly of sequences from databases of the Arabidopsis, rice and other publicly available plant genomes, expressed sequence tags (ESTs), protein and pathway databases and QTL information with a digital expression profile (“electronic Northern Blot”) and identified polynucleotides and polypeptides which can increase tolerance to abiotic stress, and improve growth, biomass, yield and vigor (SEQ ID NOs:1-200 and 1653 for polynucleotides; SEQ ID NOs:201-391 and 1655 for polypeptides; Table 1, Example 1). Putative ABST orthologs from monocot species were identified by alignments of ortholog sequences and digital expression profiles (SEQ ID NOs:392-960, 1656-1659 for polynucleotides; SEQ ID NOs:961-1529, 1660-1663 for polypeptides; Table 2, Example 1). As is further described in Tables 3 and 4 of the Examples section which follows, representative polynucleotides were cloned (polynucleotide SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1538, 1532, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1561, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543 and 1668). Additional polynucleotides having optimized nucleic acid sequences were prepared (polynucleotide SEQ ID NOs:1531, 1539, 1533, 1550, 1558, 1562, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551 and 1545). As is further described in the Examples section which follows, transgenic plants exogenously expressing the cloned and/or optimized polynucleotides of the invention were generated. As shown in Tables 5-76, these plants exhibit increased seedling weight, root coverage, root length, and relative growth rate when grown under osmotic stress (in the presence of 25% PEG), nitrogen deficiency (in the presence of 0.75 mM Nitrogen) or regular conditions. In addition, as shown in Tables 77-188, plants exogenously expressing the polynucleotides of the invention exhibit increased rosette area, rosette diameter, leaf average area, relative growth rate of the above, plants biomass, plant seed yield, 1000 seed weight, and harvest index when grown under salinity stress or normal conditions. Altogether, these results suggest the use of the novel polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention for increasing abiotic stress tolerance, and improving growth rate biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing abiotic stress tolerance, growth rate, biomass, yield and/or vigor of a plant. The method is effected by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

The phrase “abiotic stress” as used herein refers to any adverse effect on metabolism, growth, reproduction and/or viability of a plant. Accordingly, abiotic stress can be induced by suboptimal environmental growth conditions such as, for example, salinity, water deprivation, water deficit, drought, flooding, freezing, low or high temperature (e.g., chilling or excessive heat), toxic chemical pollution, heavy metal toxicity, anaerobiosis, nutrient deficiency, nutrient excess, atmospheric pollution or UV irradiation. The implications of abiotic stress are discussed in the Background section.

The phrase “abiotic stress tolerance” as used herein refers to the ability of a plant to endure an abiotic stress without suffering a substantial alteration in metabolism, growth, productivity and/or viability.

As used herein the phrase “plant biomass” refers to the amount (measured in grams of air-dry or dry tissue) of a tissue produced from the plant in a growing season, which could also determine or affect the plant yield or the yield per growing area.

As used herein the phrase “plant yield” refers to the amount (as determined by weight, volume or size) or quantity (numbers) of tissue produced or harvested per plant or per growing season. Hence increased yield could affect the economic benefit one can obtain from the plant in a certain growing area and/or growing time.

As used herein the phrase “plant vigor” refers to the amount (measured by weight) of tissue produced by the plant in a given time. Hence increase vigor could determine or affect the plant yield or the yield per growing time or growing area.

As used herein the term “increasing” refers to at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80% or greater increase in plant abiotic stress tolerance, growth, biomass, yield and/or vigor as compared to a native plant [i.e., a plant not modified with the biomolecules (polynucleotide or polypeptides) of the invention, e.g., a non-transformed plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions).

As used herein, the phrase “exogenous polynucleotide” refers to a heterologous nucleic acid sequence which may not be naturally expressed within the plant or which overexpression in the plant is desired. The exogenous polynucleotide may be introduced into the plant in a stable or transient manner, so as to produce a ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule and/or a polypeptide molecule. It should be noted that the exogenous polynucleotide may comprise a nucleic acid sequence which is identical or partially homologous to an endogenous nucleic acid sequence of the plant.

As mentioned, the exogenous polynucleotide of the invention encodes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or more say 100% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

Homology (e.g., percent homology) can be determined using any homology comparison software, including for example, the BlastP or TBLASTN software of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) such as by using default parameters, when starting from a polypeptide sequence; or the tBLASTX algorithm (available via the NCBI) such as by using default parameters, which compares the six-frame conceptual translation products of a nucleotide query sequence (both strands) against a protein sequence database.

Homologous sequences include both orthologous and paralogous sequences. The term “paralogous” relates to gene-duplications within the genome of a species leading to paralogous genes. The term “orthologous” relates to homologous genes in different organisms due to ancestral relationship.

One option to identify orthologues in monocot plant species is by performing a reciprocal blast search. This may be done by a first blast involving blasting the sequence-of-interest against any sequence database, such as the publicly available NCBI database which may be found at: Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) ncbi (dot) nlm (dot) nih (dot) gov. If orthologues in rice were sought, the sequence-of-interest would be blasted against, for example, the 28,469 full-length cDNA clones from Oryza sativa Nipponbare available at NCBI. The blast results may be filtered. The full-length sequences of either the filtered results or the non-filtered results are then blasted back (second blast) against the sequences of the organism from which the sequence-of-interest is derived. The results of the first and second blasts are then compared. An orthologue is identified when the sequence resulting in the highest score (best hit) in the first blast identifies in the second blast the query sequence (the original sequence-of-interest) as the best hit. Using the same rational a paralogue (homolog to a gene in the same organism) is found. In case of large sequence families, the ClustalW program may be used [Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) ebi (dot) ac (dot) uk/Tools/clustalw2/index (dot) html], followed by a neighbor-joining tree (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://en (dot) wikipedia (dot) org/wiki/Neighbor-joining) which helps visualizing the clustering.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the exogenous polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, 1660-1662 or 1663.

According to some embodiments of the invention the exogenous polynucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence which is at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, e.g., 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

Identity (e.g., percent homology) can be determined using any homology comparison software, including for example, the BlastN software of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) such as by using default parameters.

According to some embodiments of the invention the exogenous polynucleotide is at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, e.g., 100% identical to the polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1659.

According to some embodiments of the invention the exogenous polynucleotide is set forth by SEQ ID NO:1530, 1561, 1532, 1531, 1562, 1533, 1538, 1549, 1665, 1566, 1554, 1563, 1557, 1564, 1534, 1536, 1552, 1553, 1666, 1547, 1548, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1654, 1555, 1540, 1543, 1668, 1539, 1550, 1558, 1565, 1541, 1667, 1542, 1544, 1537, 1551, 1545, 1-200, 1653, 392-960, and 1656-1658 or 1659.

As used herein the term “polynucleotide” refers to a single or double stranded nucleic acid sequence which is isolated and provided in the form of an RNA sequence, a complementary polynucleotide sequence (cDNA), a genomic polynucleotide sequence and/or a composite polynucleotide sequences (e.g., a combination of the above).

As used herein the phrase “complementary polynucleotide sequence” refers to a sequence, which results from reverse transcription of messenger RNA using a reverse transcriptase or any other RNA dependent DNA polymerase. Such a sequence can be subsequently amplified in vivo or in vitro using a DNA dependent DNA polymerase.

As used herein the phrase “genomic polynucleotide sequence” refers to a sequence derived (identified or isolated) from a chromosome and thus it represents a contiguous portion of a chromosome.

As used herein the phrase “composite polynucleotide sequence” refers to a sequence, which is at least partially complementary and at least partially genomic. A composite sequence can include some exonal sequences required to encode the polypeptide of the present invention, as well as some intronic sequences interposing therebetween. The intronic sequences can be of any source, including of other genes, and typically will include conserved splicing signal sequences. Such intronic sequences may further include cis acting expression regulatory elements.

Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides of the present invention may be optimized for expression. A non-limiting example of an optimized nucleic acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO:1531, which encodes the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO:201. Examples of such sequence modifications include, but are not limited to, an altered G/C content to more closely approach that typically found in the plant species of interest, and the removal of codons atypically found in the plant species commonly referred to as codon optimization.

The phrase “codon optimization” refers to the selection of appropriate DNA nucleotides for use within a structural gene or fragment thereof that approaches codon usage within the plant of interest. Therefore, an optimized gene or nucleic acid sequence refers to a gene in which the nucleotide sequence of a native or naturally occurring gene has been modified in order to utilize statistically-preferred or statistically-favored codons within the plant. The nucleotide sequence typically is examined at the DNA level and the coding region optimized for expression in the plant species determined using any suitable procedure, for example as described in Sardana et al. (1996, Plant Cell Reports 15:677-681). In this method, the standard deviation of codon usage, a measure of codon usage bias, may be calculated by first finding the squared proportional deviation of usage of each codon of the native gene relative to that of highly expressed plant genes, followed by a calculation of the average squared deviation. The formula used is: 1 SDCU=n=1 N [(Xn−Yn)/Yn] 2/N, where Xn refers to the frequency of usage of codon n in highly expressed plant genes, where Yn to the frequency of usage of codon n in the gene of interest and N refers to the total number of codons in the gene of interest. A Table of codon usage from highly expressed genes of dicotyledonous plants is compiled using the data of Murray et al. (1989, Nuc Acids Res. 17:477-498).

One method of optimizing the nucleic acid sequence in accordance with the preferred codon usage for a particular plant cell type is based on the direct use, without performing any extra statistical calculations, of codon optimization Tables such as those provided on-line at the Codon Usage Database through the NIAS (National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences) DNA bank in Japan (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) kazusa (dot) or (dot) jp/codon/). The Codon Usage Database contains codon usage Tables for a number of different species, with each codon usage Table having been statistically determined based on the data present in Genbank.

By using the above Tables to determine the most preferred or most favored codons for each amino acid in a particular species (for example, rice), a naturally-occurring nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest can be codon optimized for that particular plant species. This is effected by replacing codons that may have a low statistical incidence in the particular species genome with corresponding codons, in regard to an amino acid, that are statistically more favored. However, one or more less-favored codons may be selected to delete existing restriction sites, to create new ones at potentially useful junctions (5′ and 3′ ends to add signal peptide or termination cassettes, internal sites that might be used to cut and splice segments together to produce a correct full-length sequence), or to eliminate nucleotide sequences that may negatively effect mRNA stability or expression.

The naturally-occurring encoding nucleotide sequence may already, in advance of any modification, contain a number of codons that correspond to a statistically-favored codon in a particular plant species. Therefore, codon optimization of the native nucleotide sequence may comprise determining which codons, within the native nucleotide sequence, are not statistically-favored with regards to a particular plant, and modifying these codons in accordance with a codon usage table of the particular plant to produce a codon optimized derivative. A modified nucleotide sequence may be fully or partially optimized for plant codon usage provided that the protein encoded by the modified nucleotide sequence is produced at a level higher than the protein encoded by the corresponding naturally occurring or native gene. Construction of synthetic genes by altering the codon usage is described in for example PCT Patent Application 93/07278.

Thus, the invention encompasses nucleic acid sequences described hereinabove; fragments thereof, sequences hybridizable therewith, sequences homologous thereto, sequences encoding similar polypeptides with different codon usage, altered sequences characterized by mutations, such as deletion, insertion or substitution of one or more nucleotides, either naturally occurring or man induced, either randomly or in a targeted fashion.

The invention provides an isolated polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or more say 100% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the polypeptide is set forth by SEQ ID NO:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1662 or 1663.

The invention also encompasses fragments of the above described polypeptides and polypeptides having mutations, such as deletions, insertions or substitutions of one or more amino acids, either naturally occurring or man induced, either randomly or in a targeted fashion.

The term “plant” as used herein encompasses whole plants, ancestors and progeny of the plants and plant parts, including seeds, shoots, stems, roots (including tubers), and plant cells, tissues and organs. The plant may be in any form including suspension cultures, embryos, meristematic regions, callus tissue, leaves, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen, and microspores. Plants that are particularly useful in the methods of the invention include all plants which belong to the superfamily Viridiplantae, in particular monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants including a fodder or forage legume, ornamental plant, food crop, tree, or shrub selected from the list comprising Acacia spp., Acer spp., Actinidia spp., Aesculus spp., Agathis australis, Albizia amara, Alsophila tricolor, Andropogon spp., Arachis spp, Areca catechu, Astelia fragrans, Astragalus cicer, Baikiaea plurijuga, Betula spp., Brassica spp., Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Burkea africana, Butea frondosa, Cadaba farinosa, Calliandra spp, Camellia sinensis, Canna indica, Capsicum spp., Cassia spp., Centroema pubescens, Chacoomeles spp., Cinnamomum cassia, Coffea arabica, Colophospermum mopane, Coronillia varia, Cotoneaster serotina, Crataegus spp., Cucumis spp., Cupressus spp., Cyathea dealbata, Cydonia oblonga, Cryptomeria japonica, Cymbopogon spp., Cynthea dealbata, Cydonia oblonga, Dalbergia monetaria, Davallia divaricata, Desmodium spp., Dicksonia squarosa, Dibeteropogon amplectens, Dioclea spp, Dolichos spp., Dorycnium rectum, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Ehraffia spp., Eleusine coracana, Eragrestis spp., Erythrina spp., Eucalypfus spp., Euclea schimperi, Eulalia vi/losa, Pagopyrum spp., Feijoa sellowlana, Fragaria spp., Flemingia spp, Freycinetia banksli, Geranium thunbergii, GinAgo biloba, Glycine javanica, Gliricidia spp, Gossypium hirsutum, Grevillea spp., Guibourtia coleosperma, Hedysarum spp., Hemaffhia altissima, Heteropogon contoffus, Hordeum vulgare, Hyparrhenia rufa, Hypericum erectum, Hypeffhelia dissolute, Indigo incamata, Iris spp., Leptarrhena pyrolifolia, Lespediza spp., Lettuca spp., Leucaena leucocephala, Loudetia simplex, Lotonus bainesli, Lotus spp., Macrotyloma axillare, Malus spp., Manihot esculenta, Medicago saliva, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Musa sapientum, Nicotianum spp., Onobrychis spp., Ornithopus spp., Oryza spp., Peltophorum africanum, Pennisetum spp., Persea gratissima, Petunia spp., Phaseolus spp., Phoenix canariensis, Phormium cookianum, Photinia spp., Picea glauca, Pinus spp., Pisum sativam, Podocarpus totara, Pogonarthria fleckii, Pogonaffhria squarrosa, Populus spp., Prosopis cineraria, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pterolobium stellatum, Pyrus communis, Quercus spp., Rhaphiolepsis umbellata, Rhopalostylis sapida, Rhus natalensis, Ribes grossularia, Ribes spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa spp., Rubus spp., Salix spp., Schyzachyrium sanguineum, Sciadopitys vefficillata, Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Sorghum bicolor, Spinacia spp., Sporobolus fimbriatus, Stiburus alopecuroides, Stylosanthos humilis, Tadehagi spp, Taxodium distichum, Themeda triandra, Trifolium spp., Triticum spp., Tsuga heterophylla, Vaccinium spp., Vicia spp., Vitis vinifera, Watsonia pyramidata, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Zea mays, amaranth, artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, canola, carrot, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, flax, kale, lentil, oilseed rape, okra, onion, potato, rice, soybean, straw, sugar beet, sugar cane, sunflower, tomato, squash tea, maize, wheat, barely, rye, oat, peanut, pea, lentil and alfalfa, cotton, rapeseed, canola, pepper, sunflower, tobacco, eggplant, eucalyptus, a tree, an ornamental plant, a perennial grass and a forage crop. Alternatively algae and other non-Viridiplantae can be used for the methods of the present invention.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plant used by the method of the invention is a crop plant such as rice, maize, wheat, barley, peanut, potato, sesame, olive tree, palm oil, banana, soybean, sunflower, canola, sugarcane, alfalfa, millet, leguminosae (bean, pea), flax, lupinus, rapeseed, tobacco, popular and cotton.

Expressing the exogenous polynucleotide of the invention within the plant can be effected by transforming one or more cells of the plant with the exogenous polynucleotide, followed by generating a mature plant from the transformed cells and cultivating the mature plant under conditions suitable for expressing the exogenous polynucleotide within the mature plant.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the transformation is effected by introducing to the plant cell a nucleic acid construct which includes the exogenous polynucleotide of some embodiments of the invention and at least one promoter capable of directing transcription of the exogenous polynucleotide in the plant cell. Further details of suitable transformation approaches are provided hereinbelow.

As used herein, the term “promoter” refers to a region of DNA which lies upstream of the transcriptional initiation site of a gene to which RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of RNA. The promoter controls where (e.g., which portion of a plant) and/or when (e.g., at which stage or condition in the lifetime of an organism) the gene is expressed.

Any suitable promoter sequence can be used by the nucleic acid construct of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the invention, the promoter is a constitutive promoter, a tissue-specific, or an abiotic stress-inducible promoter.

Suitable constitutive promoters include, for example, CaMV 35S promoter (SEQ ID NO:1546; Odell et al., Nature 313:810-812, 1985); Arabidopsis At6669 promoter (SEQ ID NO:1652; see PCT Publication No. WO04081173A2); maize Ubi 1 (Christensen et al., Plant Sol. Biol. 18:675-689, 1992); rice actin (McElroy et al., Plant Cell 2:163-171, 1990); pEMU (Last et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 81:581-588, 1991); CaMV 19S (Nilsson et al., Physiol. Plant 100:456-462, 1997); GOS2 (de Pater et al., Plant J November; 2(6):837-44, 1992); ubiquitin (Christensen et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 18: 675-689, 1992); Rice cyclophilin (Bucholz et al., Plant Mol Biol. 25(5):837-43, 1994); Maize H3 histone (Lepetit et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 231: 276-285, 1992); Actin 2 (An et al., Plant J. 10(1); 107-121, 1996), constitutive root tip CT2 promoter (SEQ ID NO:1535; see also PCT application No. IL/2005/000627) and Synthetic Super MAS (Ni et al., The Plant Journal 7: 661-76, 1995). Other constitutive promoters include those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,659,026, 5,608,149; 5,608,144; 5,604,121; 5,569,597: 5,466,785; 5,399,680; 5,268,463; and 5,608,142.

Suitable tissue-specific promoters include, but not limited to, leaf-specific promoters [such as described, for example, by Yamamoto et al., Plant J. 12:255-265, 1997; Kwon et al., Plant Physiol. 105:357-67, 1994; Yamamoto et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 35:773-778, 1994; Gotor et al., Plant J. 3:509-18, 1993; Orozco et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 23:1129-1138, 1993; and Matsuoka et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:9586-9590, 1993], seed-preferred promoters [e.g., from seed specific genes (Simon, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 5. 191, 1985; Scofield, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262: 12202, 1987; Baszczynski, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 14: 633, 1990), Brazil Nut albumin (Pearson' et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 18: 235-245, 1992), legumin (Ellis, et al. Plant Mol. Biol. 10: 203-214, 1988), Glutelin (rice) (Takaiwa, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 208: 15-22, 1986; Takaiwa, et al., FEBS Letts. 221: 43-47, 1987), Zein (Matzke et al., Plant Mol Biol, 143). 323-32 1990), napA (Stalberg, et al., Planta 199: 515-519, 1996), Wheat SPA (Albani et al, Plant Cell, 9: 171-184, 1997), sunflower oleosin (Cummins, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 19: 873-876, 1992)], endosperm specific promoters [e.g., wheat LMW and HMW, glutenin-1 (Mol Gen Genet 216:81-90, 1989; NAR 17:461-2), wheat a, b and g gliadins (EMBO3:1409-15, 1984), Barley ltrl promoter, barley Bl, C, D hordein (Theor Appl Gen 98:1253-62, 1999; Plant J 4:343-55, 1993; Mol Gen Genet 250:750-60, 1996), Barley DOF (Mena et al., The Plant Journal, 116(1): 53-62, 1998), Biz2 (EP99106056.7), Synthetic promoter (Vicente-Carbajosa et al., Plant J. 13: 629-640, 1998), rice prolamin NRP33, rice-globulin Glb-1 (Wu et al., Plant Cell Physiology 39(8) 885-889, 1998), rice alpha-globulin REB/OHP-1 (Nakase et al. Plant Mol. Biol. 33: 513-S22, 1997), rice ADP-glucose PP (Trans Res 6:157-68, 1997), maize ESR gene family (Plant J 12:235-46, 1997), sorgum gamma-kafirin (PMB 32:1029-35, 1996)], embryo specific promoters [e.g., rice OSH1 (Sato et al., Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA, 93: 8117-8122), KNOX (Postma-Haarsma of al, Plant Mol. Biol. 39:257-71, 1999), rice oleosin (Wu et at, J. Biochem., 123:386, 1998)], and flower-specific promoters [e.g., AtPRP4, chalene synthase (chsA) (Van der Meer, et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 15, 95-109, 1990), LAT52 (Twell et al., Mol. Gen Genet. 217:240-245; 1989), apetala-3].

Suitable abiotic stress-inducible promoters include, but not limited to, salt-inducible promoters such as RD29A (Yamaguchi-Shinozalei et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 236:331-340, 1993); drought-inducible promoters such as maize rab17 gene promoter (Pla et. al., Plant Mol. Biol. 21:259-266, 1993), maize rab28 gene promoter (Busk et. al., Plant J. 11:1285-1295, 1997) and maize Ivr2 gene promoter (Pelleschi et. al., Plant Mol. Biol. 39:373-380, 1999); heat-inducible promoters such as heat tomato hsp80-promoter from tomato (U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,267).

The nucleic acid construct of some embodiments of the invention can further include an appropriate selectable marker and/or an origin of replication. According to some embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acid construct utilized is a shuttle vector, which can propagate both in E. coli (wherein the construct comprises an appropriate selectable marker and origin of replication) and be compatible with propagation in cells. The construct according to the present invention can be, for example, a plasmid, a bacmid, a phagemid, a cosmid, a phage, a virus or an artificial chromosome.

The nucleic acid construct of some embodiments of the invention can be utilized to stably or transiently transform plant cells. In stable transformation, the exogenous polynucleotide is integrated into the plant genome and as such it represents a stable and inherited trait. In transient transformation, the exogenous polynucleotide is expressed by the cell transformed but it is not integrated into the genome and as such it represents a transient trait.

There are various methods of introducing foreign genes into both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants (Potrykus, I., Annu. Rev. Plant. Physiol., Plant. Mol. Biol. (1991) 42:205-225; Shimamoto et al., Nature (1989) 338:274-276).

The principle methods of causing stable integration of exogenous DNA into plant genomic DNA include two main approaches:

(i) Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer: Klee et al. (1987) Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38:467-486; Klee and Rogers in Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants, Vol. 6, Molecular Biology of Plant Nuclear Genes, eds. Schell, J., and Vasil, L. K., Academic Publishers, San Diego, Calif. (1989) p. 2-25; Gatenby, in Plant Biotechnology, eds. Kung, S. and Arntzen, C. J., Butterworth Publishers, Boston, Mass. (1989) p. 93-112.

(ii) Direct DNA uptake: Paszkowski et al., in Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants, Vol. 6, Molecular Biology of Plant Nuclear Genes eds. Schell, J., and Vasil, L. K., Academic Publishers, San Diego, Calif. (1989) p. 52-68; including methods for direct uptake of DNA into protoplasts, Toriyama, K. et al. (1988) Bio/Technology 6:1072-1074. DNA uptake induced by brief electric shock of plant cells: Zhang et al. Plant Cell Rep. (1988) 7:379-384. Fromm et al. Nature (1986) 319:791-793. DNA injection into plant cells or tissues by particle bombardment, Klein et al. Bio/Technology (1988) 6:559-563; McCabe et al. Bio/Technology (1988) 6:923-926; Sanford, Physiol. Plant. (1990) 79:206-209; by the use of micropipette systems: Neuhaus et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. (1987) 75:30-36; Neuhaus and Spangenberg, Physiol. Plant. (1990) 79:213-217; glass fibers or silicon carbide whisker transformation of cell cultures, embryos or callus tissue, U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,765 or by the direct incubation of DNA with germinating pollen, DeWet et al. in Experimental Manipulation of Ovule Tissue, eds. Chapman, G. P. and Mantell, S. H. and Daniels, W. Longman, London, (1985) p. 197-209; and Ohta, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1986) 83:715-719.

The Agrobacterium system includes the use of plasmid vectors that contain defined DNA segments that integrate into the plant genomic DNA. Methods of inoculation of the plant tissue vary depending upon the plant species and the Agrobacterium delivery system. A widely used approach is the leaf disc procedure which can be performed with any tissue explant that provides a good source for initiation of whole plant differentiation. See, e.g., Horsch et al. in Plant Molecular Biology Manual A5, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (1988) p. 1-9. A supplementary approach employs the Agrobacterium delivery system in combination with vacuum infiltration. The Agrobacterium system is especially viable in the creation of transgenic dicotyledonous plants.

There are various methods of direct DNA transfer into plant cells. In electroporation, the protoplasts are briefly exposed to a strong electric field. In microinjection, the DNA is mechanically injected directly into the cells using very small micropipettes. In microparticle bombardment, the DNA is adsorbed on microprojectiles such as magnesium sulfate crystals or tungsten particles, and the microprojectiles are physically accelerated into cells or plant tissues.

Following stable transformation plant propagation is exercised. The most common method of plant propagation is by seed. Regeneration by seed propagation, however, has the deficiency that due to heterozygosity there is a lack of uniformity in the crop, since seeds are produced by plants according to the genetic variances governed by Mendelian rules. Basically, each seed is genetically different and each will grow with its own specific traits. Therefore, it is preferred that the transformed plant be produced such that the regenerated plant has the identical traits and characteristics of the parent transgenic plant. For this reason it is preferred that the transformed plant be regenerated by micropropagation which provides a rapid, consistent reproduction of the transformed plants.

Micropropagation is a process of growing new generation plants from a single piece of tissue that has been excised from a selected parent plant or cultivar. This process permits the mass reproduction of plants having the preferred tissue expressing the fusion protein. The new generation plants which are produced are genetically identical to, and have all of the characteristics of, the original plant. Micropropagation allows mass production of quality plant material in a short period of time and offers a rapid multiplication of selected cultivars in the preservation of the characteristics of the original transgenic or transformed plant. The advantages of cloning plants are the speed of plant multiplication and the quality and uniformity of plants produced.

Micropropagation is a multi-stage procedure that requires alteration of culture medium or growth conditions between stages. Thus, the micropropagation process involves four basic stages: Stage one, initial tissue culturing; stage two, tissue culture multiplication; stage three, differentiation and plant formation; and stage four, greenhouse culturing and hardening. During stage one, initial tissue culturing, the tissue culture is established and certified contaminant-free. During stage two, the initial tissue culture is multiplied until a sufficient number of tissue samples are produced to meet production goals. During stage three, the tissue samples grown in stage two are divided and grown into individual plantlets. At stage four, the transformed plantlets are transferred to a greenhouse for hardening where the plants' tolerance to light is gradually increased so that it can be grown in the natural environment.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the transgenic plants are generated by transient transformation of leaf cells, meristematic cells or the whole plant.

Transient transformation can be effected by any of the direct DNA transfer methods described above or by viral infection using modified plant viruses.

Viruses that have been shown to be useful for the transformation of plant hosts include CaMV, Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), brome mosaic virus (BMV) and Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BV or BCMV). Transformation of plants using plant viruses is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,237 (bean golden mosaic virus; BGV), EP-A 67,553 (TMV), Japanese Published Application No. 63-14693 (TMV), EPA 194,809 (BV), EPA 278,667 (BV); and Gluzman, Y. et al., Communications in Molecular Biology: Viral Vectors, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, pp. 172-189 (1988). Pseudovirus particles for use in expressing foreign DNA in many hosts, including plants are described in WO 87/06261.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the virus used for transient transformations is avirulent and thus is incapable of causing severe symptoms such as reduced growth rate, mosaic, ring spots, leaf roll, yellowing, streaking, pox formation, tumor formation and pitting. A suitable avirulent virus may be a naturally occurring avirulent virus or an artificially attenuated virus. Virus attenuation may be effected by using methods well known in the art including, but not limited to, sub-lethal heating, chemical treatment or by directed mutagenesis techniques such as described, for example, by Kurihara and Watanabe (Molecular Plant Pathology 4:259-269, 2003), Gal-on et al. (1992), Atreya et al. (1992) and Huet et al. (1994).

Suitable virus strains can be obtained from available sources such as, for example, the American Type culture Collection (ATCC) or by isolation from infected plants. Isolation of viruses from infected plant tissues can be effected by techniques well known in the art such as described, for example by Foster and Tatlor, Eds. “Plant Virology Protocols: From Virus Isolation to Transgenic Resistance (Methods in Molecular Biology (Humana Pr), Vol 81)”, Humana Press, 1998. Briefly, tissues of an infected plant believed to contain a high concentration of a suitable virus, preferably young leaves and flower petals, are ground in a buffer solution (e.g., phosphate buffer solution) to produce a virus infected sap which can be used in subsequent inoculations.

Construction of plant RNA viruses for the introduction and expression of non-viral exogenous polynucleotide sequences in plants is demonstrated by the above references as well as by Dawson, W. O. et al., Virology (1989) 172:285-292; Takamatsu et al. EMBO J. (1987) 6:307-311; French et al. Science (1986) 231:1294-1297; Takamatsu et al. FEBS Letters (1990) 269:73-76; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,931.

When the virus is a DNA virus, suitable modifications can be made to the virus itself. Alternatively, the virus can first be cloned into a bacterial plasmid for ease of constructing the desired viral vector with the foreign DNA. The virus can then be excised from the plasmid. If the virus is a DNA virus, a bacterial origin of replication can be attached to the viral DNA, which is then replicated by the bacteria. Transcription and translation of this DNA will produce the coat protein which will encapsidate the viral DNA. If the virus is an RNA virus, the virus is generally cloned as a cDNA and inserted into a plasmid. The plasmid is then used to make all of the constructions. The RNA virus is then produced by transcribing the viral sequence of the plasmid and translation of the viral genes to produce the coat protein(s) which encapsidate the viral RNA.

In one embodiment, a plant viral polynucleotide is provided in which the native coat protein coding sequence has been deleted from a viral polynucleotide, a non-native plant viral coat protein coding sequence and a non-native promoter, preferably the subgenomic promoter of the non-native coat protein coding sequence, capable of expression in the plant host, packaging of the recombinant plant viral polynucleotide, and ensuring a systemic infection of the host by the recombinant plant viral polynucleotide, has been inserted. Alternatively, the coat protein gene may be inactivated by insertion of the non-native polynucleotide sequence within it, such that a protein is produced. The recombinant plant viral polynucleotide may contain one or more additional non-native subgenomic promoters. Each non-native subgenomic promoter is capable of transcribing or expressing adjacent genes or polynucleotide sequences in the plant host and incapable of recombination with each other and with native subgenomic promoters. Non-native (foreign) polynucleotide sequences may be inserted adjacent the native plant viral subgenomic promoter or the native and a non-native plant viral subgenomic promoters if more than one polynucleotide sequence is included. The non-native polynucleotide sequences are transcribed or expressed in the host plant under control of the subgenomic promoter to produce the desired products.

In a second embodiment, a recombinant plant viral polynucleotide is provided as in the first embodiment except that the native coat protein coding sequence is placed adjacent one of the non-native coat protein subgenomic promoters instead of a non-native coat protein coding sequence.

In a third embodiment, a recombinant plant viral polynucleotide is provided in which the native coat protein gene is adjacent its subgenomic promoter and one or more non-native subgenomic promoters have been inserted into the viral polynucleotide. The inserted non-native subgenomic promoters are capable of transcribing or expressing adjacent genes in a plant host and are incapable of recombination with each other and with native subgenomic promoters. Non-native polynucleotide sequences may be inserted adjacent the non-native subgenomic plant viral promoters such that the sequences are transcribed or expressed in the host plant under control of the subgenomic promoters to produce the desired product.

In a fourth embodiment, a recombinant plant viral polynucleotide is provided as in the third embodiment except that the native coat protein coding sequence is replaced by a non-native coat protein coding sequence.

The viral vectors are encapsidated by the coat proteins encoded by the recombinant plant viral polynucleotide to produce a recombinant plant virus. The recombinant plant viral polynucleotide or recombinant plant virus is used to infect appropriate host plants. The recombinant plant viral polynucleotide is capable of replication in the host, systemic spread in the host, and transcription or expression of foreign gene(s) (exogenous polynucleotide) in the host to produce the desired protein.

Techniques for inoculation of viruses to plants may be found in Foster and Taylor, eds. “Plant Virology Protocols: From Virus Isolation to Transgenic Resistance (Methods in Molecular Biology (Humana Pr), Vol 81)”, Humana Press, 1998; Maramorosh and Koprowski, eds. “Methods in Virology” 7 vols, Academic Press, New York 1967-1984; Hill, S. A. “Methods in Plant Virology”, Blackwell, Oxford, 1984; Walkey, D. G. A. “Applied Plant Virology”, Wiley, New York, 1985; and Kado and Agrawa, eds. “Principles and Techniques in Plant Virology”, Van Nostrand-Reinhold, New York.

In addition to the above, the polynucleotide of the present invention can also be introduced into a chloroplast genome thereby enabling chloroplast expression.

A technique for introducing exogenous polynucleotide sequences to the genome of the chloroplasts is known. This technique involves the following procedures. First, plant cells are chemically treated so as to reduce the number of chloroplasts per cell to about one. Then, the exogenous polynucleotide is introduced via particle bombardment into the cells with the aim of introducing at least one exogenous polynucleotide molecule into the chloroplasts. The exogenous polynucleotide is selected such that it is integratable into the chloroplast's genome via homologous recombination which is readily effected by enzymes inherent to the chloroplast. To this end, the exogenous polynucleotide includes, in addition to a gene of interest, at least one polynucleotide stretch which is derived from the chloroplast's genome. In addition, the exogenous polynucleotide includes a selectable marker, which serves by sequential selection procedures to ascertain that all or substantially all of the copies of the chloroplast genomes following such selection will include the exogenous polynucleotide. Further details relating to this technique are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,945,050; and 5,693,507 which are incorporated herein by reference. A polypeptide can thus be produced by the protein expression system of the chloroplast and become integrated into the chloroplast's inner membrane.

Since abiotic stress tolerance, growth, biomass, yield and/or vigor in plants can involve multiple genes acting additively or in synergy (see, for example, in Quesda et al., Plant Physiol. 130:951-063, 2002), the present invention also envisages expressing a plurality of exogenous polynucleotides in a single host plant to thereby achieve superior effect on abiotic stress tolerance, growth, biomass, yield and/or vigor.

Expressing a plurality of exogenous polynucleotides in a single host plant can be effected by co-introducing multiple nucleic acid constructs, each including a different exogenous polynucleotide, into a single plant cell. The transformed cell can then be regenerated into a mature plant using the methods described hereinabove.

Alternatively, expressing a plurality of exogenous polynucleotides in a single host plant can be effected by co-introducing into a single plant-cell a single nucleic-acid construct including a plurality of different exogenous polynucleotides. Such a construct can be designed with a single promoter sequence which can transcribe a polycistronic messenger RNA including all the different exogenous polynucleotide sequences. To enable co-translation of the different polypeptides encoded by the polycistronic mes sager RNA, the polynucleotide sequences can be inter-linked via an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence which facilitates translation of polynucleotide sequences positioned downstream of the IRES sequence. In this case, a transcribed polycistronic RNA molecule encoding the different polypeptides described above will be translated from both the capped 5′ end and the two internal IRES sequences of the polycistronic RNA molecule to thereby produce in the cell all different polypeptides. Alternatively, the construct can include several promoter sequences each linked to a different exogenous polynucleotide sequence.

The plant cell transformed with the construct including a plurality of different exogenous polynucleotides can be regenerated into a mature plant, using the methods described hereinabove.

Alternatively, expressing a plurality of exogenous polynucleotides can be effected by introducing different nucleic acid constructs, including different exogenous polynucleotides, into a plurality of plants. The regenerated transformed plants can then be cross-bred and resultant progeny selected for superior abiotic stress tolerance, growth, biomass, yield and/or vigor traits, using conventional plant breeding techniques.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plant expressing the exogenous polynucleotide(s) is grown under normal conditions.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprising growing the plant expressing the exogenous polynucleotide(s) under the abiotic stress.

Thus, the invention encompasses plants exogenously expressing (as described above) the polynucleotide(s) and/or polypeptide(s) of the invention. Once expressed within the plant cell or the entire plant, the level of the polypeptide encoded by the exogenous polynucleotide can be determined by methods well known in the art such as, activity assays, Western blots using antibodies capable of specifically binding the polypeptide, Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), radio-immuno-assays (RIA), immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and the like.

Methods of determining the level in the plant of the RNA transcribed from the exogenous polynucleotide are well known in the art and include, for example, Northern blot analysis, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis (including quantitative, semi-quantitative or real-time RT-PCR) and RNA—in situ hybridization.

The polynucleotides and polypeptides described hereinabove can be used in a wide range of economical plants, in a safe and cost effective manner.

The effect of the transgene (the exogenous polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide) on abiotic stress tolerance, growth, biomass, yield and/or vigor can be determined using known methods.

Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Transformed (i.e., expressing the transgene) and non-transformed (wild type) plants are exposed to an abiotic stress condition, such as water deprivation, suboptimal temperature (low temperature, high temperature), nutrient deficiency, nutrient excess, a salt stress condition, osmotic stress, heavy metal toxicity, anaerobiosis, atmospheric pollution and UV irradiation.

Salinity Tolerance Assay

Transgenic plants with tolerance to high salt concentrations are expected to exhibit better germination, seedling vigor or growth in high salt. Salt stress can be effected in many ways such as, for example, by irrigating the plants with a hyperosmotic solution, by cultivating the plants hydroponically in a hyperosmotic growth solution (e.g., Hoagland solution with added salt), or by culturing the plants in a hyperosmotic growth medium [e.g., 50% Murashige-Skoog medium (MS medium) with added salt]. Since different plants vary considerably in their tolerance to salinity, the salt concentration in the irrigation water, growth solution, or growth medium can be adjusted according to the specific characteristics of the specific plant cultivar or variety, so as to inflict a mild or moderate effect on the physiology and/or morphology of the plants (for guidelines as to appropriate concentration see, Bernstein and Kafkafi, Root Growth Under Salinity Stress In: Plant Roots, The Hidden Half 3rd ed. Waisel Y, Eshel A and Kafkafi U. (editors) Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 2002, and reference therein).

For example, a salinity tolerance test can be performed by irrigating plants at different developmental stages with increasing concentrations of sodium chloride (for example 50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, 400 mM NaCl) applied from the bottom and from above to ensure even dispersal of salt. Following exposure to the stress condition the plants are frequently monitored until substantial physiological and/or morphological effects appear in wild type plants. Thus, the external phenotypic appearance, degree of wilting and overall success to reach maturity and yield progeny are compared between control and transgenic plants. Quantitative parameters of tolerance measured include, but are not limited to, the average wet and dry weight, growth rate, leaf size, leaf coverage (overall leaf area), the weight of the seeds yielded, the average seed size and the number of seeds produced per plant. Transformed plants not exhibiting substantial physiological and/or morphological effects, or exhibiting higher biomass than wild-type plants, are identified as abiotic stress tolerant plants.

Osmotic Tolerance Test

Osmotic stress assays (including sodium chloride and PEG assays) are conducted to determine if an osmotic stress phenotype was sodium chloride-specific or if it was a general osmotic stress related phenotype. Plants which are tolerant to osmotic stress may have more tolerance to drought and/or freezing. For salt and osmotic stress experiments, the medium is supplemented for example with 50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM NaCl or 15%, 20% or 25% PEG. See also Examples 6 and 7 of the Examples section which follows.

Drought Tolerance Assay/Osmoticum Assay

Tolerance to drought is performed to identify the genes conferring better plant survival after acute water deprivation. To analyze whether the transgenic plants are more tolerant to drought, an osmotic stress produced by the non-ionic osmolyte sorbitol in the medium can be performed. Control and transgenic plants are germinated and grown in plant-agar plates for 4 days, after which they are transferred to plates containing 500 mM sorbitol. The treatment causes growth retardation, then both control and transgenic plants are compared, by measuring plant weight (wet and dry), yield, and by growth rates measured as time to flowering.

Conversely, soil-based drought screens are performed with plants overexpressing the polynucleotides detailed above. Seeds from control Arabidopsis plants, or other transgenic plants overexpressing the polypeptide of the invention are germinated and transferred to pots. Drought stress is obtained after irrigation is ceased accompanied by placing the pots on absorbent paper to enhance the soil-drying rate. Transgenic and control plants are compared to each other when the majority of the control plants develop severe wilting. Plants are re-watered after obtaining a significant fraction of the control plants displaying a severe wilting. Plants are ranked comparing to controls for each of two criteria: tolerance to the drought conditions and recovery (survival) following re-watering.

Cold Stress Tolerance

One way to analyze cold stress is as follows. Mature (25 day old) plants are transferred to 4° C. chambers for 1 or 2 weeks, with constitutive light. Later on plants are moved back to greenhouse. Two weeks later damages from chilling period, resulting in growth retardation and other phenotypes, are compared between control and transgenic plants, by measuring plant weight (wet and dry), and by comparing growth rates measured as time to flowering, plant size, yield, and the like.

Heat Stress Tolerance

One way to measure heat stress tolerance is by exposing the plants to temperatures above 34° C. for a certain period. Plant tolerance is examined after transferring the plants back to 22° C. for recovery and evaluation after 5 days relative to internal controls (non-transgenic plants) or plants not exposed to neither cold or heat stress.

Germination Tests

Germination tests compare the percentage of seeds from transgenic plants that could complete the germination process to the percentage of seeds from control plants that are treated in the same manner. Normal conditions are considered for example, incubations at 22° C. under 22-hour light 2-hour dark daily cycles. Evaluation of germination and seedling vigor is conducted between 4 and 14 days after planting. The basal media is 50% MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962 Plant Physiology 15, 473-497).

Germination is checked also at unfavorable conditions such as cold (incubating at temperatures lower than 10° C. instead of 22° C.) or using seed inhibition solutions that contain high concentrations of an osmolyte such as sorbitol (at concentrations of 50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, 300 mM, 500 mM, and up to 1000 mM) or applying increasing concentrations of salt (of 50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, 300 mM, 500 mM NaCl).

Effect of the Transgene on Plant's Growth, Biomass, Yield and/or Vigor

Plant vigor can be calculated by the increase in growth parameters such as leaf area, fiber length, rosette diameter, plant fresh weight and the like per time.

The growth rate can be measured using digital analysis of growing plants. For example, images of plants growing in greenhouse on plot basis can be captured every 3 days and the rosette area can be calculated by digital analysis. Rosette area growth is calculated using the difference of rosette area between days of sampling divided by the difference in days between samples.

Measurements of seed yield can be done by collecting the total seeds from 8-16 plants together, weighting them using analytical balance and dividing the total weight by the number of plants. Seed per growing area can be calculated in the same manner while taking into account the growing area given to a single plant. Increase seed yield per growing area could be achieved by increasing seed yield per plant, and/or by increasing number of plants capable of growing in a given area.

Evaluation of the seed yield per plant can be done by measuring the amount (weight or size) or quantity (i.e., number) of dry seeds produced and harvested from 8-16 plants and divided by the number of plants.

Evaluation of growth rate can be done by measuring plant biomass produced, rosette area, leaf size or root length per time (can be measured in cm² per day of leaf area).

Fiber length can be measured using fibrograph. The fibrograph system was used to compute length in terms of “Upper Half Mean” length. The upper half mean (UHM) is the average length of longer half of the fiber distribution. The fibrograph measures length in span lengths at a given percentage point (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) cottoninc (dot) com/ClassificationofCotton/?Pg=4#Length).

Thus, the present invention is of high agricultural value for promoting the yield of commercially desired crops (e.g., biomass of vegetative organ such as poplar wood, or reproductive organ such as number of seeds or seed biomass).

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

As used herein the term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures utilized in the present invention include molecular, biochemical, microbiological and recombinant DNA techniques. Such techniques are thoroughly explained in the literature. See, for example, “Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual” Sambrook et al., (1989); “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology” Volumes I-III Ausubel, R. M., ed. (1994); Ausubel et al., “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology”, John Wiley and Sons, Baltimore, Md. (1989); Perbal, “A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning”, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1988); Watson et al., “Recombinant DNA”, Scientific American Books, New York; Birren et al. (eds) “Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series”, Vols. 1-4, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1998); methodologies as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,666,828; 4,683,202; 4,801,531; 5,192,659 and 5,272,057; “Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook”, Volumes I-III Cellis, J. E., ed. (1994); “Current Protocols in Immunology” Volumes I-III Coligan J. E., ed. (1994); Stites et al. (eds), “Basic and Clinical Immunology” (8th Edition), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn. (1994); Mishell and Shiigi (eds), “Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology”, W. H. Freeman and Co., New York (1980); available immunoassays are extensively described in the patent and scientific literature, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,932; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,850,578; 3,853,987; 3,867,517; 3,879,262; 3,901,654; 3,935,074; 3,984,533; 3,996,345; 4,034,074; 4,098,876; 4,879,219; 5,011,771 and 5,281,521; “Oligonucleotide Synthesis” Gait, M. J., ed. (1984); “Nucleic Acid Hybridization” Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J., eds. (1985); “Transcription and Translation” Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J., Eds. (1984); “Animal Cell Culture” Freshney, R. I., ed. (1986); “Immobilized Cells and Enzymes” IRL Press, (1986); “A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning” Perbal, B., (1984) and “Methods in Enzymology” Vol. 1-317, Academic Press; “PCR Protocols: A Guide To Methods And Applications”, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990); Marshak et al., “Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization—A Laboratory Course Manual” CSHL Press (1996); all of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Other general references are provided throughout this document. The procedures therein are believed to be well known in the art and are provided for the convenience of the reader. All the information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.

Example 1 Identifying Putative Abiotic Stress—Tolerance and or Yield/Biomass Increase Genes

The present inventors have identified genes which increase abiotic stress-tolerance (ABST) and/or growth rate/yield/biomass/vigor, as follows. The genes were validated in vivo as previously described in WO2004/104162 to the present assignee. All nucleotide sequence datasets used here were originated from publicly available databases. Sequence data from 50 different species (mainly plant species) was introduced into a single, comprehensive database. Other information on gene expression, protein annotation, enzymes and pathways were also incorporated. Major databases used include:

-   -   Genomes         -   Arabidopsis genome [TAR genome version 6 (Hypertext Transfer             Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) arabidopsis (dot) org/)]         -   Rice genome [IRGSP build 4.0 (Hypertext Transfer             Protocol://rgp (dot) dna (dot) affrc (dot) go (dot)             jp/IRGSP/)].         -   Poplar [Populus trichocarpa release 1.1 from JGI (assembly             release v1.0) (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web             (dot) genome (dot) jgi-psf (dot) org/)]         -   Brachypodium [JGI 4× assembly Hypertext Transfer             Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) brachpodium (dot) org)]         -   Soybean [DOE-JGI SCP, version Glyma0 (Hypertext Transfer             Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) phytozome (dot) net/)]         -   Grape [NCBI WGS assembly ftp://ftp (dot) ncbi (dot) nih             (dot) gov/genbank/wgs/)]         -   Castobean [TIGR/J Craig Venter Institute 4× assemby         -   Hypertext Transfer Protocol://msc (dot) jcvi (dot)             org/r_communis         -   Sorghum [DOE-JGI SCP, version Sbi1 Hypertext Transfer             Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) phytozome (dot) net/)].     -   Expressed EST and mRNA sequences were extracted from         -   GeneBank versions 154, 157, 160, 161, 164, and 165             (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) ncbi             (dot) nlm (dot) nih (dot) gov/dbEST/)         -   RefSeq (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)             ncbi (dot) nlm (dot) nih (dot) gov/RefSeq/).         -   TAR (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)             arabidopsis (dot) org/).     -   Protein and pathway databases         -   Uniprot (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide             Web.expasy.uniprot.org/).         -   AraCyc (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)             arabidopsis (dot) org/biocyc/index (dot) jsp).         -   ENZYME (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://expasy.org/enzyme/).     -   Microarray datasets were downloaded from         -   GEO (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide             Web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/)         -   TAIR (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide             Web.arabidopsis.org/).         -   Proprietary Evogene's cotton fiber microarray data     -   QTL information         -   Gramene (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)             gramene (dot) org/qtl/).

Database Assembly was performed to build a wide, rich, reliable annotated and easy to analyze database comprised of publicly available genomic mRNA, ESTs DNA sequences, data from various crops as well as gene expression, protein annotation and pathway data QTLs, and other relevant information.

Database assembly is comprised of a toolbox of gene refining, structuring, annotation and analysis tools enabling to construct a tailored database for each gene discovery project. Gene refining and structuring tools enable to reliably detect splice variants and antisense transcripts, generating understanding of various potential phenotypic outcomes of a single gene. The capabilities of the “LEADS” platform of Compugen LTD for analyzing human genome have been confirmed and accepted by the scientific committee (“Widespread Antisense Transcription”, Yelin, et al. (2003) Nature Biotechnology 21, 379-85; “Splicing of Alu Sequences”, Lev-Maor, et al. (2003) Science 300 (5623), 1288-91), and have proven most efficient in plant genomics as well.

EST Clustering and Gene Assembly

For clustering and assembly of arabidopsis and rice genes the “genomic LEADS” version was employed. This tool allows most accurate clustering of ESTs and mRNA sequences on genome, and predicts gene structure as well as alternative splicing events and anti-sense transcription.

For organisms with no available full genome sequence data, “expressed LEADS” as well as TIGR (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) tigr (dot) org/) clustering software were applied. The results of the two clustering tools were compared and in cases where clusters predicted by the two tools were significantly different, both versions were presented and considered.

Gene annotation-Predicted genes and proteins were annotated as follows:

-   -   Blast search (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)         ncbi (dot) nlm (dot) nih (dot) gov (dot) library (dot) vu (dot)         edu (dot) au/BLAST/) against all plant UniProt (Hypertext         Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) expasy (dot) uniprot         (dot) org/) sequences was performed.     -   Frame-Finder (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot)         ebi (dot) ac (dot) uk/˜guy/estate/) calculations with default         statistics was used to predict protein sequences for each         transcript.     -   The predicted proteins were analyzed by InterPro (Hypertext         Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) ebi (dot) ac (dot)         uk/interpro/).     -   Blast against proteins from AraCyc and ENZYME databases was used         to map the predicted transcripts to AraCyc pathways.     -   Each transcript was compared using tblastx algorithm (Hypertext         Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) ncbi (dot) nlm (dot)         nih (dot) gov (dot) library (dot) vu (dot) edu (dot) au/BLAST/)         against all other organism databases to validate the accuracy of         the predicted protein sequence, and for efficient detection of         orthologs.

Gene Expression Profiling

Few data sources were exploited for gene expression profiling, namely microarray data and digital expression profile (see below). According to gene expression profile, a correlation analysis was performed to identify genes which are co-regulated under different development stages and environmental conditions.

Publicly available microarray datasets were downloaded from TAIR and NCBI GEO sites, renormalized, and integrated into the database. Expression profiling was one of the most important resource data for identifying genes important for ABST. Moreover, when homolog genes from different crops were responsive to ABST, the genes were marked as “highly predictive to improve ABST”.

A digital expression profile summary was compiled for each cluster according to all keywords included in the sequence records comprising the cluster. Digital expression, also known as electronic Northern Blot, is a tool that displays virtual expression profile based on the EST sequences forming the gene cluster. The tool can provide the expression profile of a cluster in terms of plant anatomy (in what tissues/organs is the gene expressed), developmental stage (the developmental stages at which a gene can be found) and profile of treatment (provides the physiological conditions under which a gene is expressed such as drought, cold, pathogen infection, etc). Given a random distribution of ESTs in the different clusters, the digital expression provides a probability value that describes the probability of a cluster having a total of N ESTs to contain X ESTs from a certain collection of libraries. For the probability calculations are taken into consideration: a) the number of ESTs in the cluster, b) the number of ESTs of the implicated and related libraries, c) the overall number of ESTs available representing the species. Thereby clusters with low probability values are highly enriched with ESTs from the group of libraries of interest indicating a specialized expression.

The concepts of orthology and paralogy have recently been applied to functional characterizations and classifications on the scale of whole-genome comparisons. Orthologs and paralogs constitute two major types of homologs: The first evolved from a common ancestor by specialization, and the latter are related by duplication events. It is assumed that paralogs arising from ancient duplication events are likely to have diverged in function while true orthologs are more likely to retain identical function over evolutionary time.

To further investigate and identify the ABST putative ortholog genes from monocot species, two computational methods were integrated:

(i) Method for Alignments of Ortholog Sequences

based on construction ortholog groups across multiple eukaryotic taxa, using modifications on the Markov cluster algorithm to group putative orthologs and paralogs. These putative orthologs were further organized under Phylogram—a branching diagram (tree) assumed to be an estimate of a phylogeny of the genes.

(ii) Method for Generating Genes Expression Profile “Digital Expression”

The present inventors have performed considerable work aimed at annotating sequences. Expression data was analyzed and the EST libraries were classified using a fixed vocabulary of custom terms such as experimental treatments. The annotations from all the ESTs clustered to a gene were analyzed statistically by comparing their frequency in the cluster versus their abundance in the database, allowing to construct a numeric and graphic expression profile of that gene, which is termed “digital expression”.

The rationale of using these two complementary methods is based on the assumption that true orthologs are likely to retain identical function over evolutionary time. These two methods (sequence and expression pattern) provide two different sets of indications on function similarities between two homologous genes, similarities in the sequence level—identical amino acids in the protein domains and similarity in expression profiles.

Overall, 110 genes were identified to have a major impact on ABST when overexpressed in plants. The identified ABST genes, their curated polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences, as well as their updated sequences according to Genebank database are summarized in Table 1, hereinbelow.

TABLE 1 Identified ABST Genes SEQ ID NO: Gene SEQ ID NO: Polynucleotide Polypeptide Polynucleotide Name Cluster Name Organism Polypeptide Description Description 1 MAB1 MAB1.0.rice|gb154|BM421111_T1 rice 201 2 MAB1.1.rice|gb157.2|BM421111_T1 rice 202 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 3 MAB2 MAB2.0.rice|gb154|AU225547_T1 rice No predicted protein 4 MAB2.1.rice|gb157.2|AU225547_T1 rice updated to production gb157.2 5 MAB3 MAB3.0.rice|gb154|BE039995_T1 rice 203 6 MAB3.1.rice|gb157.2|BE039995_T1 rice 204 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 7 MAB4 MAB4.0.rice|gb154|BI812277_T1 rice 205 8 MAB4.7.rice|gb157.2|BI812277_CT1 rice curated 9 MAB5 MAB5.0.rice|gb154|CB624106_T1 rice 206 10 MAB6 MAB6.0.arabidopsis|gb154|Z47404_T1 arabidopsis 207 11 MAB7 MAB7.0.arabidopsis|6|AT5G47560.1 arabidopsis 208 12 MAB7.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G47560_T1 arabidopsis 209 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 13 MAB8 MAB8.0.rice|gb154|BU672931_T1 rice 210 14 MAB8.7.rice|gb154|BU672931_T1 rice Bioinformatics & DNA Curated 15 MAB9 MAB9.0.arabidopsis|gb154|BE844934_T1 arabidopsis 211 16 MAB10 MAB10.0.arabidopsis|gb154|Z27056_T1 arabidopsis 212 17 MAB11 MAB11.0.arabidopsis|gb154|Z34014_T1 arabidopsis 213 18 MAB11.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G52300_T1 arabidopsis 214 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 19 MAB12 MAB12.0.arabidopsis|gb154|ATLTIL40_T1 arabidopsis 215 20 MAB12.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G52310_T1 arabidopsis 216 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 21 MAB13 MAB13.0.arabidopsis|6|AT2G38760.1 arabidopsis 217 22 MAB13.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT2G38760_T1 arabidopsis 218 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 23 MAB14 MAB14.0.rice|gb154|AB042259_T1 rice 219 24 MAB14.1.rice|gb157.2|AB042259_T1 rice 220 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 25 MAB15 MAB15.0.sorghum|gb154|AI724695_T1 sorghum 221 26 MAB16 MAB16.0.rice|gb154|BI795172_T1 rice 222 27 MAB16.1.rice|gb157.2|BI795172_T1 rice 223 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 28 MAB17 MAB17.0.soybean|gb154|BE821839_T1 soybean 224 29 MAB18 MAB18.0.barley|gb154|BF625971_T1 barley 225 226 protein Bioinformatics & Protein Curated 30 MAB19 MAB19.0.sorghum|gb154|AW563861_T1 sorghum 227 31 MAB19.1.sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW563861_T1 sorghum 228 updated to updated to production production gb161.xeno gb161.xeno 32 MAB20 MAB20.0.arabidopsis|gb154|T04691_T1 arabidopsis 229 33 MAB20.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G61890_T1 arabidopsis 230 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 34 MAB21 MAB21.0.rice|gb154|BE230053_T1 rice 231 35 MAB21.1.rice|gb157.2|BE230053_T1 rice 232 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 36 MAB22 MAB22.0.tomato|gb154|BG791299_T1 tomato 233 234 Curated 37 MAB23 MAB23.0.rice|gb154|BI305810_T1 rice 235 38 MAB24 MAB24.0.rice|gb154|BI808273_T1 rice 236 39 MAB24.7.rice|gb157.2|BI808273_CT1 rice curated 40 MAB25 MAB25.0.arabidopsis|6|AT1G27760.1 arabidopsis 237 41 MAB25.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G27760_T1 arabidopsis 238 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 42 MAB26 MAB26.0.rice|gb154|AW155625_T1 rice 239 43 MAB26.7.rice|gb157.2|BI305400_CT1 rice curated 44 MAB27 MAB27.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AY045660_T1 arabidopsis 240 45 MAB27.7.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G24120_CT1 arabidopsis curated 46 MAB28 MAB28.0.rice|gb154|BI795108_T1 rice 241 47 MAB28.7.rice|gb157.2|BI795108_CT1 rice curated 48 MAB29 MAB29.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AU239137_T2 arabidopsis 242 49 MAB29.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT2G25600_T1 arabidopsis 243 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 50 MAB30 MAB30.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AY062542_T1 arabidopsis 244 51 MAB30.7.arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G70300_CT1 arabidopsis Curated 52 MAB31 MAB31.0.soybean|gb154|BI968709_T1 soybean 245 53 MAB31.7.soybean|gb162|BI968709_CT1 soybean 246 Curated curated 54 MAB32 MAB32.0.rice|gb154|AF039532_T1 rice 247 55 MAB33 MAB33.0.maize|gb154|AI615215_T1 maize 248 56 MAB33.1.maize|gb164|AI615215_T1 maize 249 updated to production gb164 57 MAB34 MAB34.0.barley|gb154|TG_BF625450_T1 barley 250 58 MAB34.1.barley|gb157.2|BF625450_T1 barley 251 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 59 MAB35 MAB35.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AA651513_T1 arabidopsis 252 60 MAB35.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT2G16890_T1 arabidopsis 253 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 61 MAB36 MAB36.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AU239340_T1 arabidopsis 254 62 MAB36.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT4G27570_T1 arabidopsis 255 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 63 MAB37 MAB37.0.tomato|gb154|BG125939_T1 tomato 256 64 MAB37.7.tomato|gb164|BG125939_CT1 tomato curated 65 MAB38 MAB38.0.wheat|gb154|BE492836_T1 wheat 257 66 MAB38.7.wheat|gb164|BE492836_CT1 wheat 258 curated curated 67 MAB39 MAB39.0.barley|gb154|AL500200_T1 barley 259 68 MAB39.1.barley|gb157.2|AL500200_T1 barley 260 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 69 MAB40 MAB40.0.rice|gb154|AA754628_T1 rice 261 70 MAB40.7.rice|gb157.2|AA754628_CT1 rice curated 71 MAB41 MAB41.0.tomato|gb154|AI489494_T1 tomato 262 72 MAB41.7.tomato|gb164|AI489494_CT1 tomato curated 73 MAB42 MAB42.0.sorghum|gb154|BE595950_T1 sorghum 263 74 MAB42.7.sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI881418_CT1 sorghum 264 curated curated 75 MAB43 MAB43.0.arabidopsis|gb154|BE662945_T1 arabidopsis 265 76 MAB43.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G26920_T1 arabidopsis 266 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 77 MAB44 MAB44.0.arabidopsis|gb154|H36025_T1 arabidopsis 267 78 MAB44.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G67360_T1 arabidopsis 268 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 79 MAB45 MAB45.0.wheat|gb154|TG_BQ172359_T1 wheat 269 80 MAB45.1.wheat|gb164|BQ172359_T1 wheat 270 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 81 MAB46 MAB46.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AA389812_T1 arabidopsis 271 82 MAB47 MAB47.0.sorghum|gb154|AW672286_T1 sorghum 272 83 MAB47.7.sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI948276_CT1 sorghum 273 Curated Curated 84 MAB48 MAB48.0.rice|gb154|BI802161_T1 rice 274 85 MAB48.7.rice|gb157.2|AU092454_CT1 rice 275 curated curated 86 MAB49 MAB49.0.maize|gb154|TG_AI621810_T1 maize 276 87 MAB49.7.maize|gb164|AI621810_CT1 maize Curated 88 MAB50 MAB50.0.arabidopsis|gb154|W43146_T1 arabidopsis 277 89 MAB50.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G48570_T1 arabidopsis 278 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 90 MAB91 MAB91.0.arabidopsis|gb154|AU236480_T1 arabidopsis 279 280 curated 91 MAB96 MAB96.0.arabidopsis|gb154|Z27256_T1 arabidopsis 281 92 MAB96.7.arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G03800_CT1 arabidopsis 282 curated curated 93 MAB99 MAB99.0.tomato|gb154|BG735056_T1 tomato 283 94 MAB100 MAB100.0.arabidopsis|gb154|Z37259_T1 arabidopsis 284 95 MAB100.1.arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G01470_T1 arabidopsis 285 updated to updated to production production gb165 gb165 96 MAB104 MAB104.0.rice|gb154|BE039215_T1 rice 286 97 MAB104.1.rice|gb157.2|BE039215_T1 rice 287 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 98 MAB121 MAB121.0.sugarcane|gb157|CA079500_T1 sugarcane 288 99 MAB121.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|CA079500_T1 sugarcane 289 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 100 MAB122 MAB122.0.maize|gb154|AI901344_T9 maize 290 101 MAB123 MAB123.0.barley|gb157|BF626638_T1 barley 291 102 MAB123.1.barley|gb157.2|BF626638_T1 barley 292 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 103 MAB124 MAB124.0.sugarcane|gb157|CA284042_T1 sugarcane 293 104 MAB124.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|CA284042_T1 sugarcane 294 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 105 MAB125 MAB125.0.rice|gb157|CF957213_T1 rice 295 106 MAB125.1.rice|gb157.2|CF957213_T1 rice 296 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 107 MAB126 MAB126.0.grape|gb157|BQ797309_T1 grape 297 108 MAB126.1.grape|gb160|BQ797309_T1 grape 298 updated to updated to production production gb160 gb160 109 MAB127 MAB127.0.grape|gb157|CB971532_T1 grape 299 110 MAB127.1.grape|gb160|CB971532_T1 grape 300 updated to updated to production production gb160 gb160 111 MAB128 MAB128.0.sugarcane|gb157|CA142162_T1 sugarcane 301 112 MAB128.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|CA142162_T1 sugarcane 302 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 113 MAB129 MAB129.0.tomato|gb157|AI486106_T1 tomato 303 114 MAB129.1.tomato|gb164|AI486106_T1 tomato 304 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 115 MAB130 MAB130.0.canola|gb157|CD829694_T1 canola 305 116 MAB131 MAB131.0.tomato|gb157|AW928843_T1 tomato 306 117 MAB131.1.tomato|gb164|AW928843_T1 tomato 307 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 118 MAB132 MAB132.0.barley|gb157|BF621624_T1 barley 308 119 MAB133 MAB133.0.barley|gb157|BE411546_T1 barley 309 120 MAB133.1.barley|gb157.2|BE411546_T1 barley 310 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 121 MAB134 MAB134.0.barley|gb157|BE437407_T1 barley 311 312 protein Bioinformatics & Protein Curated 122 MAB135 MAB135.0.lotus|gb157|AI967693_T1 lotus 313 123 MAB135.1.lotus|gb157.2|AI967693_T1 lotus 314 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 124 MAB136 MAB136.0.rice|gb157|AK058573_T1 rice 315 125 MAB136.1.rice|gb157.2|AK058573_T1 rice 316 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 126 MAB137 MAB137.0.barley|gb157|AL508624_T1 barley 317 from provisional patent 127 MAB137.1.barley|gb157.2|AL508624_T1 barley 318 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 128 MAB138 MAB138.0.potato|gb157|BI177281_T1 potato 319 from provisional patent 129 MAB138.1.potato|gb157.2|BI177281_T1 potato 320 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 130 MAB139 MAB139.0.cotton|gb157.2|AI727826_T1 cotton 321 from provisional patent 131 MAB139.1.cotton|gb164|AI727826_T1 cotton 322 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 132 MAB140 MAB140.0.barley|gb157|BI778498_T1 barley 323 from provisional patent 133 MAB140.1.barley|gb157.2|BI778498_T1 barley 324 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 134 MAB141 MAB141.0.barley|gb157|BE421008_T1 barley 325 from provisional patent 135 MAB142 MAB142.0.cotton|gb157.2|AI055631_T2 cotton 326 from provisional patent 136 MAB142.0.cotton|gb157.2|AI055631_T1 cotton 327 from provisional patent 137 MAB142.1.cotton|gb164|AW187041_T1 cotton 328 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 138 MAB143 MAB143.0.tomato|gb157|AI487157_T1 tomato 329 from provisional patent 139 MAB143.1.tomato|gb164|AI487157_T1 tomato 330 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 140 MAB144 MAB144.0.grape|gb157|CA814960_T1 grape 331 from provisional patent 141 MAB144.1.grape|gb160|CA814960_T1 grape 332 updated to updated to production production gb160 gb160 142 MAB145 MAB145.0.barley|gb157|BE413365_T1 barley 333 from provisional patent 143 MAB146 MAB146.0.tomato|gb157|AI773927_T1 tomato 334 from provisional patent 144 MAB146.1.tomato|gb164|AI773927_T1 tomato 335 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 145 MAB147 MAB147.0.tobacco|gb157|EB446189_T1 tobacco 336 146 MAB147.1.tobacco|gb162|EB446189_T1 tobacco 337 updated to updated to production production gb162 gb162 147 MAB148 MAB148.0.medicago|gb157|AW256654_T1 medicago 338 148 MAB148.1.medicago|gb157.2|AW256654_T1 medicago 339 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 149 MAB150 MAB150.0.canola|gb157|CD818831_T1 canola 340 150 MAB150.1.canola|gb161|CD818831_T1 canola 341 updated to updated to production production gb161 gb161 151 MAB151 MAB151.0.potato|gb157|BQ513540_T1 potato 342 152 MAB151.1.potato|gb157.2|BQ513540_T1 potato 343 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 153 MAB152 MAB152.0.grape|gb157|BQ798655_T1 grape 344 154 MAB152.1.grape|gb160|BQ798655_T1 grape 345 updated to updated to production production gb160 gb160 155 MAB153 MAB153.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ533857_T1 sugarcane 346 156 MAB153.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ533857_T1 sugarcane 347 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 157 MAB154 MAB154.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ537570_T3 sugarcane 348 158 MAB154.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ537570_T2 sugarcane 349 159 MAB154.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ537570_T1 sugarcane 350 160 MAB154.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ537570_T1 sugarcane 351 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 161 MAB155 MAB155.0.sorghum|gb157|AW676730_T1 sorghum 352 162 MAB155.1.sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW676730_T1 sorghum 353 updated to updated to production production gb161.xeno gb161.xeno 163 MAB156 MAB156.0.tobacco|gb157|AB117525_T1 tobacco 354 164 MAB156.1.tobacco|gb162|AB117525_T1 tobacco 355 updated to updated to production production gb162 gb162 165 MAB157 MAB157.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ533820_T2 sugarcane 356 166 MAB157.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ533820_T1 sugarcane 357 167 MAB157.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ533820_T1 sugarcane 358 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 168 MAB158 MAB158.0.cotton|gb157.2|AI054450_T1 cotton 359 169 MAB159 MAB159.0.canola|gb157|CD818468_T1 canola 360 170 MAB160 MAB160.0.barley|gb157|BF622450_T1 barley 361 171 MAB161 MAB161.0.poplar|gb157|BU896597_T1 poplar 362 172 MAB161.1.poplar|gb157.2|BU896597_T1 poplar 363 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 173 MAB162 MAB162.0.sugarcane|gb157|BU102611_T1 sugarcane 364 174 MAB162.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|BU102611_T1 sugarcane 365 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 175 MAB163 MAB163.0.barley|gb157|AL501813_T1 barley 366 176 MAB163.1.barley|gb157.2|AL501813_T1 barley 367 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 177 MAB164 MAB164.0.barley|gb157|BF253543_T1 barley 368 178 MAB164.1.barley|gb157.2|BF253543_T1 barley 369 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 179 MAB165 MAB165.0.grape|gb157|BQ793123_T1 grape 370 180 MAB166 MAB166.0.poplar|gb157|CV228694_T1 poplar 371 181 MAB166.1.poplar|gb157.2|CV228694_T1 poplar 372 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 182 MAB167 MAB167.0.canola|gb157|CX278043_T1 canola 373 183 MAB167.1.canola|gb161|CX278043_T1 canola 374 updated to updated to production production gb161 gb161 184 MAB168 MAB168.0.grape|gb157|BG273815_T1 grape 375 185 MAB168.1.grape|gb160|BG273815_T1 grape 376 updated to updated to production production gb160 gb160 186 MAB169 MAB169.0.cotton|gb157.2|COTLEA14B_T1 cotton 377 187 MAB169.1.cotton|gb164|COTLEA14B_T1 cotton 378 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 188 MAB170 MAB170.0.barley|gb157|BE412505_T1 barley 379 189 MAB170.1.barley|gb157.2|BE412505_T1 barley 380 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 190 MAB171 MAB171.0.sugarcane|gb157|CA123631_T1 sugarcane 381 191 MAB171.1.sugarcane|gb157.2|CA123631_T1 sugarcane 382 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 192 MAB172 MAB172.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ478980_T1 sugarcane 383 193 MAB172.0.sugarcane|gb157|BQ478980_T2 sugarcane 384 194 MAB173 MAB173.0.barley|gb157|BY836652_T1 barley 385 195 MAB173.1.barley|gb157.2|BY836652_T1 barley 386 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 196 MAB174 MAB174.0.barley|gb157|BG342904_T1 barley 387 197 MAB174.1.barley|gb157.2|BG342904_T1 barley 388 updated to updated to production production gb157.2 gb157.2 198 MAB175 MAB175.0.tomato|gb157|BG126606_T1 tomato 389 199 MAB175.0.tomato|gb157|BG126606_T2 tomato 390 200 MAB175.1.tomato|gb164|BG126606_T1 tomato 391 updated to updated to production production gb164 gb164 1653 MAB66 MAB66.0.tomato|gb164|BG124832_CT1 tomato 1651

Polynucleotides and polypeptides with significant homology to the identified ABST genes have been identified from the databases using BLAST software using the BlastX algorithm. The query nucleotide sequences were SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 91, 93, 94, 96, 98, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 142, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 161, 163, 165, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 and 1653, and the identified ABST homologs are provided in Table 2, below.

TABLE 2 ABST Gene homologs Poly- Poly- nucleotide peptide Homolog to a polypeptide % SEQ SEQ encoded by polynucleotide Global ID NO: Cluster name Organism ID NO: SEQ ID NO. identity 392 apple|gb157.3|CN444532_T1 apple 961 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 85 393 apple|gb157.3|CN445371_T1 apple 962 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 87 394 apple|gb157.3|CN878026_T1 apple 963 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 80 395 apple|gb157.3|CK900582_T1 apple 964 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 85 396 apple|gb157.3|CN888579_T2 apple 965 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 397 apple|gb157.3|CN888579_T3 apple 966 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 81 398 apple|gb157.3|CO066535_T1 apple 967 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 399 apple|gb157.3|CN888579_T1 apple 968 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 400 apple|gb157.3|CN496860_T1 apple 969 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 81 401 apricot|gb157.2|BQ134642_T1 apricot 970 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 82 402 apricot|gb157.2|CB822088_T1 apricot 971 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 403 aquilegia|gb157.3|DR915383_T1 aquilegia 972 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 83 404 aquilegia|gb157.3|DR913600_T1 aquilegia 973 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 83 405 aquilegia|gb157.3|DR920101_T1 aquilegia 974 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 87 406 aquilegia|gb157.3|DT727583_T1 aquilegia 975 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 80 407 aquilegia|gb157.3|DR918523_T1 aquilegia 976 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 82 408 arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G67890_T2 arabidopsis 977 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 409 arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G78070_T2 arabidopsis 978 Seq207.MAB6.15.arabidopsis 97 410 arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G52890_T3 arabidopsis 979 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 85 411 arabidopsis|gb165|AT3G06620_T1 arabidopsis 980 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 80 412 arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G67890_T1 arabidopsis 981 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 413 arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G14860_T1 arabidopsis 982 Seq341.MAB150.15.canola 80 414 arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G49470_T2 arabidopsis 983 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 81 415 arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G49470_T1 arabidopsis 984 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 81 416 arabidopsis|gb165|AT3G24170_T1 arabidopsis 985 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 417 arabidopsis|gb165|AT1G11670_T1 arabidopsis 986 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 84 418 arabidopsis|gb165|AT3G25230_T1 arabidopsis 987 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 419 arabidopsis|gb165|AT4G32500_T2 arabidopsis 988 Seq242.MAB29.15.arabidopsis 81 420 arabidopsis|gb165|AT5G06760_T1 arabidopsis 989 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 84 421 arabidopsis|gb165|AT4G27410_T3 arabidopsis 990 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 94 422 arabidopsis|gb165|AT4G27560_T1 arabidopsis 991 Seq254.MAB36.15.arabidopsis 94 423 artemisia|gb164|EY047508_T1 artemisia 992 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 424 artemisia|gb164|EY060376_T1 artemisia 993 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 425 artemisia|gb164|EY089381_T1 artemisia 994 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 426 artemisia|gb164|EY042537_T1 artemisia 995 Seq349.MAB154.15.sugarcane 80 427 b_juncea|gb164|EVGN00102008310737_T1 b_juncea 996 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 97 428 b_juncea|gb164|EVGN08486004170336_T1 b_juncea 997 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 94 429 b_juncea|gb164|EVGN00429914360666_T1 b_juncea 998 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 83 430 b_juncea|gb164|EVGN00258430752139Pl_T1 b_juncea 999 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 431 b_juncea|gb164|EVGN01568909822952_T1 b_juncea 1000 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 98 432 b_oleracea|gb161|DY029719_T1 b_oleracea 1001 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 433 b_oleracea|gb161|AM385106_T1 b_oleracea 1002 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 96 434 b_oleracea|gb161|AM387179_T1 b_oleracea 1003 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 91 435 b_oleracea|gb161|AM061306_T1 b_oleracea 1004 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 86 436 b_oleracea|gb161|AB125639_T1 b_oleracea 1005 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 437 b_rapa|gb162|EE523634_T1 b_rapa 1006 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 92 438 b_rapa|gb162|EX024909_T1 b_rapa 1007 Seq217.MAB13.15.arabidopsis 83 439 b_rapa|gb162|EX070158_T2 b_rapa 1008 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 95 440 b_rapa|gb162|CA992067_T1 b_rapa 1009 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 94 441 b_rapa|gb162|EE520623_T1 b_rapa 1010 Seq280.MAB91.10.arabidopsis 89 442 b_rapa|gb162|CV545896_T1 b_rapa 1011 Seq208.MAB7.15.arabidopsis 88 443 b_rapa|gb162|CO749564_T1 b_rapa 1012 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 444 b_rapa|gb162|CV434105_T1 b_rapa 1013 Seq217.MAB13.15.arabidopsis 83 445 b_rapa|gb162|AF008441_T1 b_rapa 1014 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 446 b_rapa|gb162|EX070158_T1 b_rapa 1015 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 86 447 b_rapa|gb162|EX088727_T1 b_rapa 1016 Seq271.MAB46.15.arabidopsis 93 448 b_rapa|gb162|BG544469_T1 b_rapa 1017 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 82 449 b_rapa|gb162|DN962625_T1 b_rapa 1018 Seq237.MAB25.15.arabidopsis 85 450 b_rapa|gb162|CV544672_T1 b_rapa 1019 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 88 451 barley|gb157.2|BI947678_T1 barley 1020 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 92 452 barley|gb157.2|AV835424_T1 barley 1021 Seq257.MAB38.15.wheat 97 453 barley|gb157.2|BE455969_T1 barley 1022 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 84 454 barley|gb157.2|BE519575_T2 barley 1023 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 81 455 barley|gb157.2|BF625959_T1 barley 1024 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 83 456 barley|gb157.2|B0461470_T1 barley 1025 Seq356.MAB157.15.sugarcane 82 457 basilicum|gb157.3|DY333033_T1 basilicum 1026 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 87 458 bean|gb164|CB542809_T1 bean 1027 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 459 bean|gb164|CV529652_T1 bean 1028 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 83 460 bean|gb164|CB543453_T1 bean 1029 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 80 461 bean|gb164|CV535253_T1 bean 1030 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 462 beet|gb162|BQ592516_T1 beet 1031 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 463 beet|gb162|BQ488223_T1 beet 1032 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 88 464 beet|gb162|BQ583768_T1 beet 1033 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 85 465 beet|gb162|BQ591963_T1 beet 1034 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 80 466 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE519575_T1 brachypodium 1035 Seq356.MAB157.15.sugarcane 85 467 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BG368321_T1 brachypodium 1036 Seq247.MAB32.15.rice 81 468 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE400652_T1 brachypodium 1037 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 95 469 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|AI502884_T1 brachypodium 1038 Seq210.MAB8.15.rice 82 470 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BY836652_T1 brachypodium 1039 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 90 471 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE414917_T1 brachypodium 1040 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 93 472 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BF202085_T1 brachypodium 1041 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 83 473 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE406378_T1 brachypodium 1042 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 474 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE517562_T1 brachypodium 1043 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 85 475 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE420294_T1 brachypodium 1044 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 85 476 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BG369416_T1 brachypodium 1045 Seq270.MAB45.15.wheat 89 477 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE406039_T2 brachypodium 1046 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 93 478 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE418087_T1 brachypodium 1047 Seq325.MAB141.15.barley 86 479 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE470780_T1 brachypodium 1048 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 81 480 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|AV835424_T1 brachypodium 1049 Seq257.MAB38.15.wheat 93 481 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE398656_T1 brachypodium 1050 Seq308.MAB132.15.barley 93 482 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE437407_T1 brachypodium 1051 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 98 483 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE406039_T3 brachypodium 1052 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 81 484 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE490408_T1 brachypodium 1053 Seq264.MAB42.10.sorghum 80 485 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE403745_T1 brachypodium 1054 Seq379.MAB170.15.barley 92 486 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE490591_T1 brachypodium 1055 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 87 487 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BQ461470_T2 brachypodium 1056 Seq356.MAB157.15.sugarcane 85 488 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE517562_T2 brachypodium 1057 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 83 489 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE413341_T1 brachypodium 1058 Seq336.MAB147.15.tobacco 80 490 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|BE515529_T1 brachypodium 1059 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 96 491 brachypodium|gb161.xeno|DV471778_T1 brachypodium 1060 Seq348.MAB154.15.sugarcane 83 492 canola|gb161|EL587045_T1 canola 1061 Seq277.MAB50.15.arabidopsis 87 493 canola|gb161|CX279297_T1 canola 1062 Seq280.MAB91.10.arabidopsis 85 494 canola|gb161|CD815143_T1 canola 1063 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 80 495 canola|gb161|CD831036_T1 canola 1064 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 86 496 canola|gb161|EE466962_T1 canola 1065 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 83 497 canola|gb161|CN726580_T1 canola 1066 Seq305.MAB130.15.canola 89 498 canola|gb161|CD829644_T1 canola 1067 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 86 499 canola|gb161|AY245887_T1 canola 1068 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 87 500 canola|gb161|EE411591_T1 canola 1069 Seq207.MAB6.15.arabidopsis 88 501 canola|gb161|DY020345_T1 canola 1070 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 92 502 canola|gb161|CD820718_T1 canola 1071 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 95 503 canola|gb161|CX189134_T1 canola 1072 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 81 504 canola|gb161|EG021120_T1 canola 1073 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 83 505 canola|gb161|ES906182_T1 canola 1074 Seq244.MAB30.15.arabidopsis 92 506 canola|gb161|ES911977_T1 canola 1075 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 88 507 canola|gb161|CD814410_T1 canola 1076 Seq217.MAB13.15.arabidopsis 81 508 canola|gb161|ES904177_T1 canola 1077 Seq208.MAB7.15.arabidopsis 87 509 canola|gb161|CD813775_T1 canola 1078 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 510 canola|gb161|CD824419_T1 canola 1079 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 94 511 canola|gb161|CD825454_T1 canola 1080 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 90 512 canola|gb161|CD834184_T1 canola 1081 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 88 513 canola|gb161|EE469078_T1 canola 1082 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 83 514 canola|gb161|GFXAJ535111X1_T1 canola 1083 Seq305.MAB130.15.canola 99 515 canola|gb161|EE448267_T1 canola 1084 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 80 516 canola|gb161|CX193415_T1 canola 1085 Seq237.MAB25.15.arabidopsis 85 517 canola|gb161|CD813278_T1 canola 1086 Seq375.MAB168.15.grape 80 518 castorbean|gb160|MDL28401M000077_T1 castorbean 1087 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 86 519 castorbean|gb160|EE258294_T1 castorbean 1088 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 87 520 castorbean|gb160|MDL28066M000021_T1 castorbean 1089 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 521 castorbean|gb160|AM267339_T1 castorbean 1090 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 80 522 castorbean|gb160|EG659656_T1 castorbean 1091 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 523 castorbean|gb160|EG656754_T1 castorbean 1092 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 82 524 castorbean|gb160|EE259826_T1 castorbean 1093 Seq362.MAB161.15.poplar 83 525 castorbean|gb160|EG659299_T1 castorbean 1094 Seq300.MAB127.15.grape 81 526 castorbean|gb160|EE259565_T1 castorbean 1095 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 80 527 castorbean|gb160|EE255133_T1 castorbean 1096 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 84 528 castorbean|gb160|MDL29822M003364_T1 castorbean 1097 Seq336.MAB147.15.tobacco 82 529 castorbean|gb160|EG661241_T1 castorbean 1098 Seq371.MAB166.15.poplar 85 530 centaurea|gb161|EH713943_T1 centaurea 1099 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 82 531 centaurea|gb161|EH724589_T1 centaurea 1100 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 84 532 centaurea|gb161|EH717520_T1 centaurea 1101 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 80 533 centaurea|gb161|EH711566_T1 centaurea 1102 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 534 centaurea|gb161|EH713337_T1 centaurea 1103 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 535 centaurea|gb161|EH713628_T1 centaurea 1104 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 536 centaurea|gb161|EH738263_T1 centaurea 1105 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 80 537 centaurea|gb161|EH727723_T1 centaurea 1106 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 84 538 cichorium|gb161|DT212291_T1 cichorium 1107 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 539 cichorium|gb161|DT211081_T1 cichorium 1108 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 540 cichorium|gb161|EH692437_T1 cichorium 1109 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 541 cichorium|gb161|DT212218_T1 cichorium 1110 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 89 542 citrus|gb157.2|CB290836_T1 citrus 1111 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 543 citrus|gb157.2|BQ624861_T1 citrus 1112 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 82 544 citrus|gb157.2|BQ624727_T1 citrus 1113 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 545 citrus|gb157.2|CB290836_T2 citrus 1114 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 86 546 citrus|gb157.2|CX672218_T2 citrus 1115 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 83 547 citrus|gb157.2|CF504250_T1 citrus 1116 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 82 548 citrus|gb157.2|CK933948_T1 citrus 1117 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 549 clover|gb162|BB926896_T1 clover 1118 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 82 550 clover|gb162|BB904696_T1 clover 1119 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 84 551 coffea|gb157.2|DV676382_T1 coffea 1120 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 91 552 coffea|gb157.2|DV688680_T1 coffea 1121 Seq332.MAB144.15.grape 83 553 coffea|gb157.2|DQ124044_T1 coffea 1122 Seq303.MAB129.15.tomato 80 554 cotton|gb164|BF268276_T1 cotton 1123 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 555 cotton|gb164|CO113031_T1 cotton 1124 Seq319.MAB138.15.potato 80 556 cotton|gb164|AI730186_T1 cotton 1125 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 81 557 cotton|gb164|CO103100_T1 cotton 1126 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 558 cotton|gb164|BE051970_T1 cotton 1127 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 559 cotton|gb164|AI725698_T1 cotton 1128 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 560 cotton|gb164|AI728290_T1 cotton 1129 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 561 cotton|gb164|AI055482_T1 cotton 1130 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 562 cotton|gb164|ES794517_T1 cotton 1131 Seq327.MAB142.15.cotton 81 563 cotton|gb164|BF268276_T2 cotton 1132 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 564 cotton|gb164|CO109448_T1 cotton 1133 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 565 cotton|gb164|DT459182_T1 cotton 1134 Seq375.MAB168.15.grape 84 566 cotton|gb164|BG441162_T1 cotton 1135 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 85 567 cowpea|gb165|FF390508_T1 cowpea 1136 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 84 568 cowpea|gb165|FF390203_T1 cowpea 1137 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 86 569 cowpea|gb165|DQ267475_T1 cowpea 1138 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 570 cowpea|gb165|FF382851_T1 cowpea 1139 Seq224.MAB17.15.soybean 89 571 cowpea|gb165|FF394009_T1 cowpea 1140 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 572 dandelion|gb161|DQ160099_T1 dandelion 1141 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 82 573 dandelion|gb161|DY823013_T1 dandelion 1142 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 82 574 dandelion|gb161|DY820394_T2 dandelion 1143 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 575 dandelion|gb161|DY813450_T2 dandelion 1144 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 85 576 dandelion|gb161|DY820394_1 dandelion 1145 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 87 577 fescue|gb161|DT687914_T1 fescue 1146 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 93 578 fescue|gb161|DT702477_T1 fescue 1147 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 87 579 fescue|gb161|DT705881_T1 fescue 1148 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 96 580 fescue|gb161|DT682501_T1 fescue 1149 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 82 581 fescue|gb161|DT699000_T1 fescue 1150 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 90 582 fescue|gb161|DT706685_T1 fescue 1151 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 96 583 fescue|gb161|DT698326_T1 fescue 1152 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 95 584 fescue|gb161|DT677453_T1 fescue 1153 Seq379.MAB170.15.barley 95 585 fescue|gb161|DT674734_T1 fescue 1154 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 88 586 ginger|gb164|DY377113_T1 ginger 1155 Seq223.MAB16.15.rice 81 587 grape|gb160|BQ792651_T1 grape 1156 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 84 588 grape|gb160|BQ793581_T1 grape 1157 Seq371.MAB166.15.poplar 80 589 iceplant|gb164|BM658279_T1 iceplant 1158 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 590 iceplant|gb164|BE034140_T1 iceplant 1159 Seq303.MAB129.15.tomato 81 591 ipomoea|gb157.2|AU224303_T1 ipomoea 1160 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 91 592 ipomoea|gb157.2|AU224807_T1 ipomoea 1161 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 80 593 ipomoea|gb157.2|CJ758382_T1 ipomoea 1162 Seq371.MAB166.15.poplar 83 594 lettuce|gb157.2|DW048067_T1 lettuce 1163 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 87 595 lettuce|gb157.2|DW046482_T1 lettuce 1164 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 85 596 lettuce|gb157.2|DW062524_T1 lettuce 1165 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 597 lettuce|gb157.2|DW048641_T1 lettuce 1166 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 598 lettuce|gb157.2|DW055618_T1 lettuce 1167 Seq371.MAB166.15.poplar 80 599 lettuce|gb157.2|DY961700_T2 lettuce 1168 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 83 600 lettuce|gb157.2|DW075962_T1 lettuce 1169 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 87 601 lettuce|gb157.2|DW047202_T1 lettuce 1170 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 602 lotus|gb157.2|BF177835_T1 lotus 1171 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 90 603 lotus|gb157.2|BW601503_T1 lotus 1172 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 84 604 maize|gb164|T15319_T2 maize 1173 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 96 605 maize|gb164|AI649734_T1 maize 1174 Seq264.MAB42.10.sorghum 90 606 maize|gb164|BE638692_T1 maize 1175 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 88 607 maize|gb164|AW498283_T1 maize 1176 Seq210.MAB8.15.rice 80 608 maize|gb164|AI622375_T1 maize 1177 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 90 609 maize|gb164|BQ034409_T1 maize 1178 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 100 610 maize|gb164|EC895235_T1 maize 1179 Seq210.MAB8.15.rice 86 611 maize|gb164|AI947795_T2 maize 1180 Seq325.MAB141.15.barley 80 612 maize|gb164|AI947974_T1 maize 1181 Seq227.MAB19.15.sorghum 93 613 maize|gb164|AI619086_T1 maize 1182 Seq346.MAB153.15.sugarcane 95 614 maize|gb164|AA143925_T1 maize 1183 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 94 615 maize|gb164|AW179463_T1 maize 1184 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 82 616 maize|gb164|BE051802_T1 maize 1185 Seq231.MAB21.15.rice 89 617 maize|gb164|AI942091_T1 maize 1186 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 89 618 maize|gb164|AI944064_T1 maize 1187 Seq383.MAB172.15.sugarcane 96 619 maize|gb164|T15319_T1 maize 1188 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 96 620 maize|gb164|AI782993_T1 maize 1189 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 82 621 maize|gb164|T26945_T1 maize 1190 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 622 maize|gb164|AI941749_T1 maize 1191 Seq269.MAB45.15.wheat 91 623 maize|gb164|AI891255_T1 maize 1192 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 95 624 maize|gb164|CD975046_T1 maize 1193 Seq203.MAB3.15.rice 88 625 maize|gb164|AW360563_T1 maize 1194 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 81 626 maize|gb164|AI901860_T1 maize 1195 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 85 627 maize|gb164|AI948098_T1 maize 1196 Seq381.MAB171.15.sugarcane 95 628 maize|gb164|AI444730_T1 maize 1197 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 83 629 maize|gb164|AW216308_T1 maize 1198 Seq288.MAB121.15.sugarcane 89 630 maize|gb164|BM268089_T1 maize 1199 Seq381.MAB171.15.sugarcane 92 631 maize|gb164|AI438597_T1 maize 1200 Seq352.MAB155.15.sorghum 91 632 maize|gb164|AW927739_T1 maize 1201 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 97 633 maize|gb164|AI891255_T2 maize 1202 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 95 634 maize|gb164|AI920760_T1 maize 1203 Seq286.MAB104.15.rice 89 635 medicago|gb157.2|AI974487_T1 medicago 1204 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 87 636 medicago|gb157.2|BE325770_T1 medicago 1205 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 637 medicago|gb157.2|AW685603_T1 medicago 1206 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 82 638 medicago|gb157.2|AL368329_T1 medicago 1207 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 80 639 medicago|gb157.2|AW688497_T1 medicago 1208 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 640 medicago|gb157.2|AL37709_T1 medicago 1209 Seq224.MAB17.15.soybean 80 641 medicago|gb157.2|AI974241_T1 medicago 1210 Seq334.MAB146.15.tomato 83 642 medicago|gb157.2|BF632135_T1 medicago 1211 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 85 643 melon|gb165|DV633691_T1 melon 1212 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 644 melon|gb165|DV632564_T1 melon 1213 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 80 645 melon|gb165|DV633584_T1 melon 1214 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 86 646 melon|gb165|AM714958_T1 melon 1215 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 647 nicotiana_benthamiana|gb162| nicotiana_bent 1216 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 95 EH364164_T1 hamiana 648 oat|gb164|CN816769_T1 oat 1217 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 94 649 oat|gb164|BE439108_T1 oat 1218 Seq312.MAB134.10.barley 85 650 onion|gb162|CF437899_T1 onion 1219 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 81 651 onion|gb162|CF437716_T1 onion 1220 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 82 652 onion|gb162|CF439314_T1 onion 1221 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 653 papaya|gb165|EX245596_T1 papaya 1222 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 88 654 papaya|gb165|EX299345_T1 papaya 1223 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 82 655 papaya|gb165|EX248971_T1 papaya 1224 Seq362.MAB161.15.poplar 86 656 papaya|gb165|EX227965_T1 papaya 1225 Seq332.MAB144.15.grape 83 657 papaya|gb165|EX264060_T1 papaya 1226 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 89 658 papaya|gb165|EX291966_T1 papaya 1227 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 659 peach|gb157.2|BU039922_T1 peach 1228 Seq300.MAB127.15.grape 82 660 peach|gb157.2|BU039373_T1 peach 1229 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 83 661 peach|gb157.2|AJ631618_T1 peach 1230 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 80 662 peach|gb157.2|BU040470_T1 peach 1231 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 89 663 peach|gb157.2|BU039381_T1 peach 1232 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 664 peanut|gb161|ES754023_T1 peanut 1233 Seq332.MAB144.15.grape 80 665 peanut|gb161|EH043199_T1 peanut 1234 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 666 pepper|gb157.2|BM063531_T1 pepper 1235 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 96 667 pepper|gb157.2|BM062846_T1 pepper 1236 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 82 668 pepper|gb157.2|BM061776_T1 pepper 1237 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 90 669 pepper|gb157.2|BM064151_T1 pepper 1238 Seq306.MAB131.15.tomato 88 670 pepper|gb157.2|BM061313_T1 pepper 1239 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 86 671 pepper|gb157.2|BI480604_T1 pepper 1240 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 80 672 periwinkle|gb164|EG559012_T1 periwinkle 1241 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 80 673 petunia|gb157.2|CV292753_T1 petunia 1242 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 674 petunia|gb157.2|CV298220_T1 petunia 1243 Seq283.MAB99.15.tomato 81 675 pine|gb157.2|DR088714_T1 pine 1244 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 80 676 pine|gb157.2|AW290504_T1 pine 1245 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 82 677 pineapple|gb157.2|CO731309_T1 pineapple 1246 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 83 678 pineapple|gb157.2|DT336648_T1 pineapple 1247 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 81 679 pineapple|gb157.2|CO731994_T1 pineapple 1248 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 680 poplar|gb157.2|AI162293_T1 poplar 1249 Seq298.MAB126.15.grape 82 681 poplar|gb157.2|AI165439_T1 poplar 1250 Seq298.MAB126.15.grape 80 682 poplar|gb157.2|AI162293_T3 poplar 1251 Seq298.MAB126.15.grape 80 683 poplar|gb157.2|BI120274_T3 poplar 1252 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 81 684 poplar|gb157.2|BI120274_T2 poplar 1253 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 89 685 poplar|gb157.2|BF299457_T1 poplar 1254 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 686 poplar|gb157.2|BI120274_T1 poplar 1255 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 86 687 poplar|gb157.2|BI122516_T1 poplar 1256 Seq362.MAB161.15.poplar 90 688 poplar|gb157.2|BU821689_T1 poplar 1257 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 81 689 poplar|gb157.2|AI166955_T1 poplar 1258 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 87 690 poplar|gb157.2|BI069450_T1 poplar 1259 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 691 potato|gb157.2|BG594910_T1 potato 1260 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 692 potato|gb157.2|M487418_T1 potato 1261 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 82 693 potato|gb157.2|BQ516076_T2 potato 1262 Seq389.MAB175.15.tomato 97 694 potato|gb157.2|BE921143_T1 potato 1263 Seq349.MAB154.15.sugarcane 80 695 potato|gb157.2|BG592541_T1 potato 1264 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 90 696 potato|gb157.2|BF052848_T1 potato 1265 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 81 697 potato|gb157.2|BF460150_T1 potato 1266 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 698 potato|gb157.2|BG097985_T1 potato 1267 Seq303.MAB129.15.tomato 91 699 potato|gb157.2|BE923564_T1 potato 1268 Seq342.MAB151.15.potato 90 700 potato|gb157.2|X86021_T1 potato 1269 Seq334.MAB146.15.tomato 97 701 potato|gb157.2|BG594768_T1 potato 1270 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 97 702 potato|gb157.2|BF154203_T1 potato 1271 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 98 703 potato|gb157.2|BE344306_T1 potato 1272 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 82 704 potato|gb157.2|BF460309_T1 potato 1273 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 98 705 potato|gb157.2|BQ516076_T1 potato 1274 Seq390.MAB175.15.tomato 96 706 potato|gb157.2|BI176616_T1 potato 1275 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 707 potato|gb157.2|BQ117692_T1 potato 1276 Seq354.MAB156.15.tobacco 86 708 potato|gb157.2|AJ487418_T2 potato 1277 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 81 709 potato|gb157.2|BG351229_T1 potato 1278 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 81 710 potato|gb157.2|M487418_T3 potato 1279 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 84 711 potato|gb157.2|BF154154_T1 potato 1280 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 99 712 radish|gb164|EY895633_T1 radish 1281 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 93 713 radish|gb164|EX772944_T1 radish 1282 Seq356.MAB157.15.sugarcane 83 714 radish|gb164|EW725846_T1 radish 1283 Seq237.MAB25.15.arabidopsis 84 715 radish|gb164|EV527306_T1 radish 1284 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 94 716 radish|gb164|EV565850_T1 radish 1285 Seq277.MAB50.15.arabidopsis 90 717 radish|gb164|EX772722_T1 radish 1286 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 88 718 radish|gb164|EX775718_T1 radish 1287 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 81 719 radish|gb164|EV535278_T1 radish 1288 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 81 720 radish|gb164|EV565334_T1 radish 1289 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 91 721 radish|gb164|EV528083_T1 radish 1290 Seq252.MAB35.15.arabidopsis 80 722 radish|gb164|T25168_T1 radish 1291 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 80 723 radish|gb164|EV544010_T1 radish 1292 Seq229.MAB20.15.arabidopsis 91 724 radish|gb164|EW713752_T1 radish 1293 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 86 725 radish|gb164|EV568565_T1 radish 1294 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 88 726 radish|gb164|EV543867_T1 radish 1295 Seq373.MAB167.15.canola 88 727 radish|gb164|EX770974_T1 radish 1296 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 85 728 radish|gb164|EV566819_T1 radish 1297 Seq217.MAB13.15.arabidopsis 81 729 rice|gb157.2|NM001059403_T1 rice 1298 Seq261.MAB40.15.rice 84 730 rice|gb157.2|C28755_T1 rice 1299 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 731 rice|gb157.2|AA750806_T1 rice 1300 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 83 732 rice|gb157.2|AA751345_T1 rice 1301 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 733 rice|gb157.2|BE040195_T6 rice 1302 Seq346.MAB153.15.sugarcane 95 734 rice|gb157.2|BI118752_T1 rice 1303 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 94 735 rice|gb157.2|AW070148_T1 rice 1304 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 87 736 rice|gb157.2|AW069929_T1 rice 1305 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 93 737 rice|gb157.2|AW070094_T1 rice 1306 Seq274.MAB48.15.rice 83 738 rice|gb157.2|AA753115_T4 rice 1307 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 90 739 rice|gb157.2|BI795037_T4 rice 1308 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 100 740 rice|gb157.2|AU092454_T1 rice 1309 Seq274.MAB48.15.rice 100 741 rice|gb157.2|AA753115_T3 rice 1310 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 91 742 rice|gb157.2|BE040195_T1 rice 1311 Seq346.MAB153.15.sugarcane 91 743 rice|gb157.2|CB624284_T1 rice 1312 Seq264.MAB42.10.sorghum 82 744 rice|gb157.2|AU030125_T3 rice 1313 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 88 745 rice|gb157.2|AU164313_T1 rice 1314 Seq270.MAB45.15.wheat 84 746 rice|gb157.2|BI799463_T1 rice 1315 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 85 747 rice|gb157.2|AW070094_T3 rice 1316 Seq274.MAB48.15.rice 80 748 rice|gb157.2|AA753115_T1 rice 1317 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 91 749 rice|gb157.2|AU093322_T2 rice 1318 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 85 750 rice|gb157.2|AU030125_T1 rice 1319 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 751 rice|gb157.2|AA752703_T1 rice 1320 Seq295.MAB125.15.rice 88 752 rice|gb157.2|NM001067464_T1 rice 1321 Seq205.MAB4.15.rice 93 753 rice|gb157.2|NM001052309_T1 rice 1322 Seq295.MAB125.15.rice 91 754 rice|gb157.2|CA763128_T2 rice 1323 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 755 rice|gb157.2|AW070148_T2 rice 1324 Seq348.MAB154.15.sugarcane 87 756 rice|gb157.2|AU093322_T1 rice 1325 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 86 757 rice|gb157.2|AA753115_T5 rice 1326 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 94 758 rice|gb157.2|AU030125_T4 rice 1327 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 759 rye|gb164|BF429408_T1 rye 1328 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 97 760 rye|gb164|BE494847_T1 rye 1329 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 97 761 safflower|gb162|EL373402_T1 safflower 1330 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 81 762 safflower|gb162|EL374175_T1 safflower 1331 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 83 763 safflower|gb162|EL377332_T1 safflower 1332 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 81 764 safflower|gb162|EL373487_T1 safflower 1333 Seq263.MAB42.15.sorghum 80 765 safflower|gb162|EL374095_T1 safflower 1334 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 766 safflower|gb162|EL382051_T1 safflower 1335 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 767 safflower|gb162|EL409148_T1 safflower 1336 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 80 768 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW224927_T1 sorghum 1337 Seq288.MAB121.15.sugarcane 94 769 sorghum|gb161.xeno|T26945_T2 sorghum 1338 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 770 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI932179_T3 sorghum 1339 Seq286.MAB104.15.rice 91 771 sorghum|gb161.xeno|T15319_T1 sorghum 1340 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 97 772 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI615215_T1 sorghum 1341 Seq248.MAB33.15.maize 92 773 sorghum|gb161.xeno|BG102066_T2 sorghum 1342 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 90 774 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW672419_T2 sorghum 1343 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 97 775 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW672419_T3 sorghum 1344 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 95 776 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI901860_T1 sorghum 1345 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 84 777 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI621995_T3 sorghum 1346 Seq384.MAB172.15.sugarcane 97 778 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI881418_T2 sorghum 1347 Seq264.MAB42.10.sorghum 100 779 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI891255_T1 sorghum 1348 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 95 780 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI782993_T1 sorghum 1349 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 84 781 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI724629_T1 sorghum 1350 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 99 782 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AA143925_T1 sorghum 1351 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 100 783 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI621995_T2 sorghum 1352 Seq383.MAB172.15.sugarcane 99 784 sorghum|gb161.xeno|T26945_T1 sorghum 1353 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 785 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW179463_T1 sorghum 1354 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 786 sorghum|gb161.xeno|ZMU90944_T2 sorghum 1355 Seq367.MAB163.15.barley 80 787 sorghum|gb161.xeno|T15319_T2 sorghum 1356 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 95 788 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI621995_T1 sorghum 1357 Seq383.MAB172.15.sugarcane 99 789 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI932179_T1 sorghum 1358 Seq286.MAB104.15.rice 90 790 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI621995_T4 sorghum 1359 Seq383.MAB172.15.sugarcane 99 791 sorghum|gb161.xeno|ZMU90944_T3 sorghum 1360 Seq367.MAB163.15.barley 80 792 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI665229_T2 sorghum 1361 Seq346.MAB153.15.sugarcane 96 793 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI939836_T1 sorghum 1362 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 92 794 sorghum|gb161.xeno|BI099068_T1 sorghum 1363 Seq270.MAB45.15.wheat 83 795 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AI665229_T1 sorghum 1364 Seq346.MAB153.15.sugarcane 96 796 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW672419_T1 sorghum 1365 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 97 797 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW498283_T1 sorghum 1366 Seq210.MAB8.15.rice 83 798 sorghum|gb161.xeno|AW923775_T1 sorghum 1367 Seq231.MAB21.15.rice 88 799 sorghum|gb161.xeno|T15319_T3 sorghum 1368 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 85 800 soybean|gb162|BG839539_T1 soybean 1369 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 80 801 soybean|gb162|CA783290_T1 soybean 1370 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 802 soybean|gb162|BU551043_T1 soybean 1371 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 803 soybean|gb162|EV282184_T1 soybean 1372 Seq371.MAB166.15.poplar 82 804 soybean|gb162|BI967468_T1 soybean 1373 Seq368.MAB164.15.barley 80 805 soybean|gb162|BI321879_T1 soybean 1374 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 806 soybean|gb162|AW132704_T1 soybean 1375 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 90 807 soybean|gb162|BU764498_T1 soybean 1376 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 86 808 soybean|gb162|CA953156_T1 soybean 1377 Seq298.MAB126.15.grape 80 809 soybean|gb162|CF922618_T1 soybean 1378 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 84 810 soybean|gb162|BU544425_T1 soybean 1379 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 81 811 soybean|gb162|BU765332_T1 soybean 1380 Seq233.MAB22.15.tomato 80 812 soybean|gb162|CA936077_T1 soybean 1381 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 813 soybean|gb162|BE823013_T1 soybean 1382 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 814 soybean|gb162|CD417415_T1 soybean 1383 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 85 815 soybean|gb162|BE660691_T1 soybean 1384 Seq362.MAB161.15.poplar 81 816 soybean|gb162|CD395628_T1 soybean 1385 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 82 817 soybean|gb162|BU549206_T2 soybean 1386 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 80 818 soybean|gb162|AW351120_T1 soybean 1387 Seq298.MAB126.15.grape 82 819 soybean|gb162|AW132704_T2 soybean 1388 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 90 820 soybean|gb162|BE584244_T1 soybean 1389 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 91 821 spruce|gb162|CO234968_T1 spruce 1390 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 83 822 spurge|gb161|DV146052_T1 spurge 1391 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 81 823 spurge|gb161|DV127024_T1 spurge 1392 Seq344.MAB152.15.grape 83 824 spurge|gb161|DV124157_T1 spurge 1393 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 825 strawberry|gb164|EX683450_T1 strawberry 1394 Seq348.MAB154.15.sugarcane 81 826 strawberry|gb164|EX683265_T1 strawberry 1395 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 827 strawberry|gb164|DY675409_T1 strawberry 1396 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 81 828 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA115287_T1 sugarcane 1397 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 88 829 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA216001_T1 sugarcane 1398 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 85 830 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA072819_T1 sugarcane 1399 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 83 831 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA125036_T1 sugarcane 1400 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 82 832 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA071646_T1 sugarcane 1401 Seq286.MAB104.15.rice 90 833 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA117936_T2 sugarcane 1402 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 93 834 sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ537163_T1 sugarcane 1403 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 96 835 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA074253_T1 sugarcane 1404 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 83 836 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA102030_T1 sugarcane 1405 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 85 837 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA068084_T1 sugarcane 1406 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 80 838 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA233048_T1 sugarcane 1407 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 80 839 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA090429_T1 sugarcane 1408 Seq288.MAB121.15.sugarcane 95 840 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA095299_T1 sugarcane 1409 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 841 sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ533298_T1 sugarcane 1410 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 95 842 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA107649_T1 sugarcane 1411 Seq248.MAB33.15.maize 90 843 sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ536274_T1 sugarcane 1412 Seq231.MAB21.15.rice 88 844 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA117936_T1 sugarcane 1413 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 94 845 sugarcane|gb157.2|BQ533234_T1 sugarcane 1414 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 99 846 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA072307_T1 sugarcane 1415 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 93 847 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA073476_T1 sugarcane 1416 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 91 848 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA065809_T1 sugarcane 1417 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 80 849 sugarcane|gb157.2|CA072307_T2 sugarcane 1418 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 93 850 sunflower|gb162|DY909111_T1 sunflower 1419 Seq336.MAB147.15.tobacco 83 851 sunflower|gb162|DY941035_T1 sunflower 1420 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 82 852 sunflower|gb162|CD857487_T1 sunflower 1421 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 853 sunflower|gb162|DY942252_T1 sunflower 1422 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 80 854 sunflower|gb162|CD850784_T1 sunflower 1423 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 83 855 sunflower|gb162|BQ968872_T1 sunflower 1424 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 83 856 sunflower|gb162|EE616266_T1 sunflower 1425 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 84 857 sunflower|gb162|EE641694_T1 sunflower 1426 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 84 858 sunflower|gb162|DY924220_T1 sunflower 1427 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 81 859 sunflower|gb162|DY910907_T1 sunflower 1428 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 80 860 sunflower|gb162|AY029172_T1 sunflower 1429 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 81 861 sunflower|gb162|DY909077_T1 sunflower 1430 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 862 sunflower|gb162|DY921635_T1 sunflower 1431 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 83 863 sunflower|gb162|DY913894_T1 sunflower 1432 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 82 864 switchgrass|gb165|FE608718_T1 switchgrass 1433 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 81 865 switchgrass|gb165|FE624581_T1 switchgrass 1434 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 87 866 switchgrass|gb165|FE604798_T1 switchgrass 1435 Seq269.MAB45.15.wheat 90 867 switchgrass|gb165|DN151012_T1 switchgrass 1436 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 90 868 switchgrass|gb165|FE619903_T1 switchgrass 1437 Seq383.MAB172.15.sugarcane 95 869 switchgrass|gb165|DN144676_T1 switchgrass 1438 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 87 870 switchgrass|gb165|FE609872_T1 switchgrass 1439 Seq228.MAB19.15.sorghum 89 871 switchgrass|gb165|FE617860_T1 switchgrass 1440 Seq381.MAB171.15.sugarcane 88 872 switchgrass|gb165|DN145750_T1 switchgrass 1441 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 95 873 switchgrass|gb165|FE597811_T1 switchgrass 1442 Seq248.MAB33.15.maize 83 874 switchgrass|gb165|FE647199_T1 switchgrass 1443 Seq381.MAB171.15.sugarcane 90 875 switchgrass|gb165|DN145034_T1 switchgrass 1444 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 95 876 switchgrass|gb165|FE617335_T1 switchgrass 1445 Seq286.MAB104.15.rice 91 877 switchgrass|gb165|FE597809_T1 switchgrass 1446 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 95 878 switchgrass|gb165|FE597811_T2 switchgrass 1447 Seq248.MAB33.15.maize 85 879 switchgrass|gb165|FE635691_T1 switchgrass 1448 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 95 880 switchgrass|gb165|FE653022_T1 switchgrass 1449 Seq385.MAB173.15.barley 83 881 switchgrass|gb165|DN144793_T1 switchgrass 1450 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 90 882 switchgrass|gb165|FE641674_T1 switchgrass 1451 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 89 883 thellungiella|gb157.2|DN775606_T1 thellungiella 1452 Seq212.MAB10.15.arabidopsis 82 884 thellungiella|gb157.2|DN773228_T1 thellungiella 1453 Seq211.MAB9.15.arabidopsis 98 885 thellungiella|gb157.2|DN772771_T1 thellungiella 1454 Seq208.MAB7.15.arabidopsis 89 886 thellungiella|gb157.2|DN774422_T1 thellungiella 1455 Seq360.MAB159.15.canola 83 887 thellungiella|gb157.2|DN774140_T1 thellungiella 1456 Seq284.MAB100.15.arabidopsis 86 888 tobacco|gb162|DW003503_T1 tobacco 1457 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 93 889 tobacco|gb162|BP532373_T1 tobacco 1458 Seq357.MAB157.15.sugarcane 82 890 tobacco|gb162|CN949739_T1 tobacco 1459 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 84 891 tobacco|gb162|BQ843111_T1 tobacco 1460 Seq319.MAB138.15.potato 90 892 tobacco|gb162|EB683054_T1 tobacco 1461 Seq307.MAB131.15.tomato 89 893 tobacco|gb162|EB428197_T1 tobacco 1462 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 80 894 tobacco|gb162|EB445060_T1 tobacco 1463 Seq283.MAB99.15.tomato 90 895 tobacco|gb162|EB447202_T1 tobacco 1464 Seq390.MAB175.15.tomato 88 896 tobacco|gb162|DW001113_T1 tobacco 1465 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 897 tobacco|gb162|EH623692_T1 tobacco 1466 Seq303.MAB129.15.tomato 85 898 tomato|gb164|BG127210_T1 tomato 1467 Seq342.MAB151.15.potato 82 899 tomato|gb164|BG128089_T2 tomato 1468 Seq222.MAB16.15.rice 80 900 tomato|gb164|AW219181_T1 tomato 1469 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 90 901 tomato|gb164|BG127288_T1 tomato 1470 Seq370.MAB165.15.grape 83 902 tomato|gb164|BG133509_T1 tomato 1471 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 903 tomato|gb164|BG131241_T1 tomato 1472 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 80 904 tomato|gb164|BG129621_T1 tomato 1473 Seq350.MAB154.15.sugarcane 80 905 tomato|gb164|AI779004_T1 tomato 1474 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 81 906 tomato|gb164|BG129572_T1 tomato 1475 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 907 tomato|gb164|BG135408_T1 tomato 1476 Seq319.MAB138.15.potato 98 908 triphysaria|gb164|DR173028_T1 triphysaria 1477 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 81 909 triphysaria|gb164|BM357524_T2 triphysaria 1478 Seq283.MAB99.15.tomato 85 910 triphysaria|gb164|EY133838_T1 triphysaria 1479 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 80 911 triphysaria|gb164|BM357406_T1 triphysaria 1480 Seq329.MAB143.15.tomato 83 912 triphysaria|gb164|BM357011_T1 triphysaria 1481 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 80 913 triphysaria|gb164|BM357524_T1 triphysaria 1482 Seq376.MAB168.15.grape 85 914 triphysaria|gb164|EY137290_T1 triphysaria 1483 Seq256.MAB37.15.tomato 88 915 wheat|gb164|CA484259_T1 wheat 1484 Seq241.MAB28.15.rice 84 916 wheat|gb164|BE606422_T1 wheat 1485 Seq379.MAB170.15.barley 96 917 wheat|gb164|BE406378_T1 wheat 1486 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 918 wheat|gb164|BE470780_T1 wheat 1487 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 84 919 wheat|gb164|BE418087_T1 wheat 1488 Seq325.MAB141.15.barley 95 920 wheat|gb164|BQ294643_T1 wheat 1489 Seq269.MAB45.15.wheat 94 921 wheat|gb164|BE415314_T1 wheat 1490 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 82 922 wheat|gb164|AL822647_T1 wheat 1491 Seq259.MAB39.15.barley 98 923 wheat|gb164|BE406667_T1 wheat 1492 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 89 924 wheat|gb164|BF475039_T1 wheat 1493 Seq221.MAB15.15.sorghum 83 925 wheat|gb164|CK196180_T1 wheat 1494 Seq323.MAB140.15.barley 80 926 wheat|gb164|BE403745_T1 wheat 1495 Seq379.MAB170.15.barley 97 927 wheat|gb164|BQ620260_T1 wheat 1496 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 100 928 wheat|gb164|BM138204_T1 wheat 1497 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 91 929 wheat|gb164|BE401114_T1 wheat 1498 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 94 930 wheat|gb164|BE498161_T1 wheat 1499 Seq388.MAB174.15.barley 93 931 wheat|gb164|BQ744502_T1 wheat 1500 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 85 932 wheat|gb164|BE415172_T1 wheat 1501 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 94 933 wheat|gb164|CD490875_T1 wheat 1502 Seq276.MAB49.15.maize 97 934 wheat|gb164|CA625741_T1 wheat 1503 Seq309.MAB133.15.barley 87 935 wheat|gb164|BE443720_T1 wheat 1504 Seq318.MAB137.15.barley 94 936 wheat|gb164|BE420294_T1 wheat 1505 Seq290.MAB122.15.maize 84 937 wheat|gb164|BE516581_T1 wheat 1506 Seq387.MAB174.15.barley 95 938 wheat|gb164|BE406039_T1 wheat 1507 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 90 939 wheat|gb164|BM136483_T1 wheat 1508 Seq333.MAB145.15.barley 92 940 wheat|gb164|BE425976_T1 wheat 1509 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 81 941 wheat|gb164|CN011148_T1 wheat 1510 Seq270.MAB45.15.wheat 84 942 wheat|gb164|BE419039_T1 wheat 1511 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 80 943 wheat|gb164|CA603413_T1 wheat 1512 Seq323.MAB140.15.barley 85 944 wheat|gb164|CA743309_T1 wheat 1513 Seq321.MAB139.15.cotton 80 945 wheat|gb164|BG262336_T1 wheat 1514 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 94 946 wheat|gb164|CD881765_T1 wheat 1515 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 947 wheat|gb164|BE352629_T1 wheat 1516 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 96 948 wheat|gb164|BE398656_T1 wheat 1517 Seq308.MAB132.15.barley 97 949 wheat|gb164|BE403195_T1 wheat 1518 Seq291.MAB123.15.barley 94 950 wheat|gb164|BE488904_T1 wheat 1519 Seq367.MAB163.15.barley 91 951 wheat|gb164|BE492528_T1 wheat 1520 Seq311.MAB134.15.barley 100 952 wheat|gb164|BE427383_T1 wheat 1521 Seq219.MAB14.15.rice 80 953 wheat|gb164|CA646957_T1 wheat 1522 Seq250.MAB34.15.barley 89 954 wheat|gb164|BE443720_T2 wheat 1523 Seq318.MAB137.15.barley 92 955 wheat|gb164|BE490408_T1 wheat 1524 Seq264.MAB42.10.sorghum 81 956 wheat|gb164|BE420295_T1 wheat 1525 Seq379.MAB170.15.barley 96 957 wheat|gb164|AL825998_T1 wheat 1526 Seq308.MAB132.15.barley 97 958 wheat|gb164|CA693465_T1 wheat 1527 Seq308.MAB132.15.barley 97 959 wheat|gb164|BE585772_T1 wheat 1528 Seq366.MAB163.15.barley 95 960 wheat|gb164|CA613914_T1 wheat 1529 Seq356.MAB157.15.sugarcane 84 1656 >tomato|gb164|BG129621_T1 tomato 1660 Seq1649.MAB66.tomato 82 1657 potato|gb157.2|BE921143_T1 potato 1661 Seq1649.MAB66.tomato 82 1658 pepper|gb157.2|BM061807_T1 pepper 1662 Seq1649.MAB66.tomato 80 1659 >triphysaria|gb164|BM357011_T1 triphysaria 1663 Seq1649.MAB66.tomato 80 Table 2: *- Homology was calculated as % of identity over the aligned sequences. The query sequences were polynucleotide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 91, 93, 94, 96, 98, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 142, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 161, 163, 165, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 and 1649, and the subject sequences are protein sequences identified in the database based on greater than 80 % identity to the predicted translated sequences of the query nucleotide sequences. Shown are the homologous polypeptides and the polynucleotides encoding same.

Example 2 Generating the Putative ABST Genes

Several DNA sequences of the ABST genes are synthesized by GeneArt (Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) geneart (dot) com/). Synthetic DNA is designed in silico, based on the encoded amino-acid sequences of the ABST genes and using codon-usage Tables calculated from plant transcriptomes (example of such Tables can be found in the Codon Usage Database available online at Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) kazusa (dot) or (dot) jp/codon/). The optimized coding sequences are designed in a way that no changes are introduced in the encoded amino acid sequence while using codons preferred for expression in dicotyledonous plants (mainly tomato and Arabidopsis) and monocotyledonous plants such as maize. At least one silent mutation per 20 nucleotide base pairs is introduced in the sequence compared to the original sequences to avoid possible silencing when over-expressing the gene in the target crop. To the optimized sequences the following restriction enzymes sites are added—SalI, XbaI, BamHI, SmaI at the 5′ end and SacI at the 3′ end. The sequences synthesized by the supplier (GeneArt, Gmbh) are cloned in the pCR-Script plasmid.

Example 3 Gene Cloning and Generation of Binary Vectors for Plant Expression

To validate their role in improving ABST and yield, selected genes were overexpressed in plants, as follows.

Cloning Strategy

Selected genes from those presented in Example 1 were cloned into binary vectors for the generation of transgenic plants. For cloning, the full-length open reading frames (ORFs) were identified. EST clusters and in some cases mRNA sequences were analyzed to identify the entire open reading frame by comparing the results of several translation algorithms to known proteins from other plant species.

In order to clone the full-length cDNAs, reverse transcription (RT) followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR; RT-PCR) was performed on total RNA extracted from leaves, roots or other plant tissues, growing under either normal or nutrient deficient conditions. Total RNA extraction, production of cDNA and PCR amplification was performed using standard protocols described elsewhere (Sambrook J., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis. 1989. Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual., 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York.) which are well known to those skilled in the art. PCR products were purified using PCR purification kit (Qiagen)

Usually, 2 sets of primers were prepared for the amplification of each gene, via nested PCR (meaning first amplifying the gene using external primers and then using the produced PCR product as a template for a second PCR reaction, where the internal set of primers are used). Alternatively, one or two of the internal primers were used for gene amplification, both in the first and the second PCR reactions (meaning only 2-3 primers were designed for a gene). To facilitate further cloning of the cDNAs, an 8-12 bp extension is added to the 5′ of each internal primer. The primer extension includes an endonuclease restriction site. The restriction sites are selected using two parameters: (a) the restriction site does not exist in the cDNA sequence; and (b) the restriction sites in the forward and reverse primers are designed such that the digested cDNA is inserted in the sense direction into the binary vector utilized for transformation. In Table 3 below, primers used for cloning ABST genes are provided.

TABLE 3 Cloned ABST genes from cDNA libraries or genomic DNA and the primers used for the cloning Polypeptide Restriction Polynucleotide SEQ ID NO. of Enzymes SEQ ID NO. of the encoded used for Primers used for amplification Gene Id the cloned gene polypeptide cloning (SEQ ID NO:) MAB1 1530 201 EcoRV MAB1_EF_EcoRV AAGATATCAGACCAGAGGAGAAGACTCGATC (SEQ ID NO: 1567) MAB1_NF_EcoRV AAGATATCAGACTCCGTTCGGAGAAAAGG (SEQ ID NO: 1568) MAB1_ER_EcoRV ATGATATCTGAAGAACATCGCCTTGTCATC (SEQ ID NO: 1569) MAB1_NR_EcoRV AAGATATCACCTTGTCATCGGATCATCTCC (SEQ ID NO: 1570) MAB1_GA 1531 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA14_MAB1_GA) for expression in Maize and G. Max) MAB14 1538 219 EcoRV MAB14_EF_EcoRV ATGATATCCAACGAATGAAGACTAGTAGCTG (SEQ ID NO: 1571) MAB14_NF_EcoRV ATGATATCCCAGATGGAATCCTGCCCT (SEQ ID NO: 1572) MAB14_ER_EcoRV ATGATATCGTGTCAATGAAGGGAACGTGC (SEQ ID NO: 1573) MAB14_NR_EcoRV ATGATATCGCAAATGGATTCAGATATTCTG (SEQ ID NO: 1574) MAB14_GA 1539 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA14_MAB14_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB10 1532 212 SalI, XbaI MAB 10 F Sal- GCAGTCGACAACTCACAGTTCCAAACACACA (SEQ ID NO: 1575) MAB 10 R Xba- GGTCTAGAATGTAAATGTCTTCGTATTAGGC (SEQ ID NO: 1576) MAB 10 NR Xba- CCTCTAGAATCACCCGAAATAACTAGTGTC (SEQ ID NO: 1577) MAB10_GA 1533 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA18_MAB10_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB25 1549 237 PstI, SmaI MAB_25_EF_PstI- AACTGCAGCCATCGTCGTAATCCTTCTAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1578) MAB25_NF_PstI- AACTGCAGTAATCATGGGGAGGAAATCTC (SEQ ID NO: 1579) MAB25_ER_SmaI- GGGTGACAATTCCGAGTCTCAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1580) MAB25_NR_SmaI- TCCCGGGCAATTGGTCAATGGCACTC (SEQ ID NO: 1581) MAB25_GA 1550 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA14_MAB25_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB134 1665 311 SalI, XbaI MAB134_EF_SalI- AATGTCGACTCTCGTCTTGCTCCCAGAG (SEQ ID NO: 1582) MAB134_NF_SalI- AATGTCGACCGACACCCTTCTCCTCCTC (SEQ ID NO: 1583) MAB134_ER_XbaI- TTTCTAGATCATATTCCAACATCCACTTC (SEQ ID NO: 1584) MAB134_NR_XbaI- TTTCTAGACTGCTATGTTCCACTGACTACAC (SEQ ID NO: 1585) MAB99 1566 283 SalI, SacI MAB99_NF_SalI- AAAGTCGACCAGTTAATTCTCCGTTGTCTACTC (SEQ ID NO: 1586) MAB99_NR_SacI- TGAGCTCCTGCTTGAAACTTGCTGCTAG (SEQ ID NO: 1587) MAB36 1554 254 SalI, XbaI MAB 36 F Sal- GGAGTCGACACAGAAATGGGTGGTTTGAAG (SEQ ID NO: 1588) MAB 36 Ext R Xba- CCTCTAGAAATGATCACTCACTGCAACTTAG (SEQ ID NO: 1589) MAB 36 NR Xba- CCTCTAGACACTCACTGCAACTTAGAAACATC (SEQ ID NO: 1590) MAB7 1563 208 SalI, XbaI MAB 7 Ex F Sal- AACGTCGACGCTCATTTCTCTTCTTCTTTGG (SEQ ID NO: 1591) MAB 7 NF Sal- GACGTCGACTCTTCTTTGGTTCTTACATTTCTC (SEQ ID NO: 1592) MAB 7 Ex R Xba- TCTCTAGAGCAAGACGTTATAAACCATGC (SEQ ID NO: 1593) MAB 7 NR Xba- TCTCTAGAAGAAGACACGCTGGACAATG (SEQ ID NO: 1594) MAB44 1557 267 SalI, SacI MAB 44 NF sal AAGGTCGACCATAAAGAACAGTGACAGGCG (SEQ ID NO: 1595) MAB 44 NR Sc AGAGCTCCACGTAGTACATTTTCACAGCAC (SEQ ID NO: 1596) MAB44_GA 1558 Synthetic product (from (optimized pCR4Blunt-TOPO_MAB44_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB6 1561 207 SalI, XbaI MAB 6-Ex F Sal- ACCGTCGACCCTTCTCCAATTTCGTAAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1597) MAB 6 NF Sal- ACCGTCGACTTCGTAAGCTCAAAGATTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 1598) MAB 6-Ext R XbaI- CCTCTAGAACGACTTTTAATCCCTCCAAC (SEQ ID NO: 1599) MAB 6-NR XbaI- CCTCTAGACTCCAACAGCCACTACAACC (SEQ ID NO: 1600) MAB6_GA 1562 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA15_MAB6_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB9 1564 211 EcoRV MAB9_F_EcoRV AAGATATCGGTTGCTGAGGAATCGAAGTAG (SEQ ID NO: 1601) MAB9_ER_EcoRV TTGATATCGAGCCAAGTCACAAGGAGTTTAC (SEQ ID NO: 1602) MAB9_NR_EcoRV TTGATATCCTCCGAGTGTCGCAGTAAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1603) MAB9_GA 1565 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA15_MAB9_GA) for expression in Maize and G. Max) MAB100 1534 284 SalI, XbaI MAB100_EF_SalI- AATGTCGACCCAAGTTAAACTTCATATCATAAC (SEQ ID NO: 1604) MAB100_NF_SalI- AATGTCGACGAAGAGTTATTATGGCGAGCT (SEQ ID NO: 1605) MAB100_ER_XbaI- AATGTCGACCCAAGTTAAACTTCATATCATACAC (SEQ ID NO: 1606) MAB100_NR_XbaI- AATCTAGACAAACCCAACTTATTACATTACG (SEQ ID NO: 1607) MAB13 1536 217 SacI, SalI MAB13_F_SalI-new AATGTCGACCTCGAAAATGGCCACCATTAG (SEQ ID NO: 1608) MAB 13 ExR Sc CGAGCTCCAAAAATGCAAGAATCAAGAG (SEQ ID NO: 1609) MAB 13 F Sal AAGGTCGACTTCTCTCCAAAATGGCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 1610) MAB 13 NR Sc TGAGCTCTGCAAGAATCAAGAGAAATTTG (SEQ ID NO: 1611) MAB32 1552 247 EcoRV MAB32_F_EcoRV- AAGATATCCTCCACTTGTTGTTCAATTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 1612) MAB32_ER_EcoRV- ATGATATCGATCTGAACAGCAGTAAGTAAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 1613) MAB32_NR_EcoRV- ATGATATCTAAGAAGAACAAGACATGGATCG (SEQ ID NO: 1614) MAB35 1553 252 SmaI MAB35_F- CGTGAGAACTAAGAAACACCC (SEQ ID NO: 1615) MAB35_ER_SmaI- TCCCGGGACATCTTTTCAACTAAACCAAGAC (SEQ ID NO: 1616) MAB35_NR_SmaI- TCCCGGGCTAAACCAAGACTTACACAAGACG (SEQ ID NO: 1617) MAB146 1666 334 SalI, XbaI MAB146_F_Sal- ATTGTCGACAGAGTTATGGGAGATAATAGAGGA (SEQ ID NO: 1618) MAB146_ER_Xba- ATTCTAGACTCATTCTGAGCTTTACATGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 1619) MAB146_NR_Xba- TTTCTAGATTGGTTTACACCTCAACTCACTAC (SEQ ID NO: 1620) MAB2 1547 Non coding SalI, XbaI MAB2_F_SalI AATGTCGACAACAAATGATCCTTCAGGCAGTTAAAG (SEQ ID NO: 1621) MAB2_R_Xba TTTCTAGATATTAAAACTTAGATTCGGGATCAG (SEQ ID NO: 1622) MAB20 1548 229 PstI, SmaI MAB20_EF_PstI- AACTGCAGGATCATCACTTCTCAGATTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 1623) MAB20_NF_PstI- AACTGCAGAAAAATGAATTCAGAATCGCTAG (SEQ ID NO: 1624) MAB20_ER_SmaI- AACTGCAGGATCATCACTTCTAGATTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 1625) MAB20_NR_SmaI- TCCCGGGCAATCTGACCTCAAAACTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 1626) MAB43 1556 265 PstI, SmaI MAB43_NF_PstI AACTGCAGGATCAATGAAGATTCGGAACAG (SEQ ID NO: 1627) MAB43_ER_SmaI TCCCGGGTACAACAAGAAACCTCTGATTC (SEQ ID NO: 1628) MAB43_NR_SmaI TCCCGGGCCTGTGCCACAGCTATACTTAC (SEQ ID NO: 1629) MAB46 1559 271 SalI, SacI MAB 46 ExF Sal- GAAGTCGACATCCGTAGTTTCAGTTTCGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 1630) MAB 46 NF Sal- GAAGTCGACCTTGTCTGTTCCAGATGAAATTG (SEQ ID NO: 1631) MAB46 ExR Sc- TGAGCTCCTCTATCGACGTCCGGATTC (SEQ ID NO: 1632) MAB 46 NR Sc- TGAGCTCCGTCCGGATTCATAAACAAC (SEQ ID NO: 1633) MAB50 1560 277 SmaI MAB 50 ExF Sal GGAGTCGACCATCGGGACACATCTTTAGG (SEQ ID NO: 1634) MAB50_NF CATCTTTAGGCTCAAGGATTC (SEQ ID NO: 1635) MAB50_ExR_Sac TGAGCTCGATCCTCGTTTATTACAAGTCTG (SEQ ID NO: 1636) MAB50_NR_Sma TCCCGGGCACACCAAGATTGATTACAAAGAG (SEQ ID NO: 1637) MAB66 1654 1655 SalI, XbaI MAB66_F_Sal- AATGTCGACGATTGGAGATAGGCAGGCA (SEQ ID NO: 1638) MAB66_ER_Xba- TTTCTAGAGGTAGCCAAAGCTGACACTC (SEQ ID NO: 1639) MAB66_NR_Xba- AATCTAGAGAGGCATATGCACTTCTTATCG (SEQ ID NO: 1640) MAB4 1555 205 EcoRV MAB4_EF_EcoRV- AAGATATCCAGGACGGGTTCTCGATCAG (SEQ ID NO: 1641) MAB4_NF_EcoRV- AAGATATCCAGCGAACACGTCTACGATG (SEQ ID NO: 1642) MAB4_ER_EcoRV- ATGATATCGCACGAGTTCAACTCAGCTG (SEQ ID NO: 1643) MAB4_NR_EcoRV- ATGATATCGAACTGCTTGAGATGTAACAGCT (SEQ ID NO: 1644) MAB15_GA 1541 221 XbaI, SacI Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA4_MAB15) for expression in Arabidopsis and maize) MAB15a_GA 1667 Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA18_MAB15a_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB15_GA_ 1540 Synthetic product original (from pGA14_MAB15_(EVO220)-original) (original sequence, not optimize) MAB17_GA 1542 224 XbaI, SacI Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA4_MAB17) for expression in Arabidopsis and maize) MAB17a_GA 1544 Synthetic product (optimized (from pCR4Blunt-TOPO_MAB17a_GA) for expression in Maize) MAB17_GA_ 1543 Synthetic product original (from pGA14_MAB17_(EVO222)-original) (original sequence, not optimize) MAB137_GA 1537 317 XbaI, SacI Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA15_MAB137) for expression in Maize, Arabidopsis and tomato) MAB3_GA 1551 293 XbaI, SacI Synthetic product (optimized (from pCR4Blunt-Topo_MAB3) for expression in Maize, Arabidopsis and tomato) MAB3_GA_ 1668 Synthetic product original (from pGA14_MAB3_(EVO235)-original) (original sequence, not optimize) MAB18_GA 1545 225 XbaI, SacI Synthetic product (optimized (from pGA4_MAB18) for expression in Arabidopsis and maize) Control 1664 Gene: GUI Table 3. Presented are the cloned ABST genes and control gene(s) by the Gene Id number and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO. Also presented are the primers and the restriction enzymes used to clone the ABST genes.

PCR products were digested with the restriction endonucleases (Roche, Switzerland) according to the sites design in the primers (Table 3). Each digested PCR product was inserted into a high copy vector originated from pBlue-script KS plasmid vector (pBlue-script KS plasmid vector, Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) stratagene (dot) com/manuals/212205 (dot) pdf). In case of the high copy vector originated from pBlue-script KS plasmid vector (pGN) PCR product was inserted in the high copy plasmid upstream to the NOS terminator (SEQ ID NO:1651) originated from pBI 101.3 binary vector (GenBank Accession No. U12640, nucleotides 4417 to 4693), Table 4 below. In other cases (pKSJ_6669a) the At6669 promoter (SEQ ID NO: 1652) is already cloned into the pBlue-script KS, so the gene is introduced downstream of the promoter (Table 4 below).

Sequencing of the inserted genes was performed, using the ABI 377 sequencer (Applied Biosystems). In some cases, after confirming the sequences of the cloned genes, the cloned cDNA accompanied with the NOS terminator was introduced into the binary vectors pGI containing the At6669 promoter via digestion with appropriate restriction endonucleases. In other cases the cloned cDNA accompanied with the At6669 promoter was introduced into the pGI vector (that hasn't already contained the At6669 promoter). In any case the insert was followed by single copy of the NOS terminator (SEQ ID NO:1651). The digested products and the linearized plasmid vector were ligated using T4 DNA ligase enzyme (Roche, Switzerland).

TABLE 4 Genes cloned from cDNA libraries or genomic DNA in a High copy plasmid Gene Name High copy Plasmid Amplified from MAB1 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB1 Gene Art MAB10 Gene Art MAB10 pGN RNA MAB14 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB14 Gene Art MAB15 pGN Gene Art (3 plasmids) MAB17 pGN Gene Art (3 plasmids) MAB 137 pGN Gene Art MAB25 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB25 Gene Art MAB3 pGN Gene Art (2 plasmids) MAB44 pGN RNA MAB44 Gene Art MAB6 pGN RNA MAB6 Gene Art MAB9 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB9 Gene Art MAB100 pGN RNA MAB13 pGN RNA MAB134 pGN RNA MAB18 pGN Gene Art MAB2 pGN RNA MAB20 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB146 pGN RNA MAB32 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB35 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB36 pGN RNA MAB43 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB46 pGN RNA MAB50 pKSJ_6669 RNA MAB7 pGN RNA MAB99 pGN RNA MAB66 pGN RNA MAB4 pKSJ_6669 RNA

The pPI plasmid vector was constructed by inserting a synthetic poly-(A) signal sequence, originating from pGL3 basic plasmid vector (Promega, GenBank Accession No. U47295; nucleotides 4658-4811) into the HindIII restriction site of the binary vector pBI101.3 (Clontech, GenBank Accession No. U12640). pGI (FIG. 1) is similar to pPI, but the original gene in the back bone is GUS-Intron, rather than GUS.

At6669, the Arabidopsis thaliana promoter sequence (set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1652) is inserted in the pPI binary vector, upstream to the cloned genes by using the restriction enzymes HindIII and SalI or BamHI (Roche), following by DNA ligation and binary plasmid extraction from positive E. coli colonies, as described above.

Positive colonies were identified by PCR using primers which were designed to span the introduced promoter (At6669) and the cloned gene in the binary vector. In all cases the forward PCR primer was the primer set forth in SEQ ID NO:1650 (from the At6669 promoter) and the reverse primer (derived from the specific cloned gene) was as follows: For MAB1, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1570; for MAB14, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1574; for MAB10, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1577; for MAB25, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1581; for MAB134, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1585; for MAB99, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1587; for MAB36, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1590; for MAB7, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1594; for MAB44, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1596; for MAB4, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1600; for MAB9, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1603 (MAB9); for MAB100, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1606; for MAB13, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1611; for MAB32, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1614; for MAB35, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1617; for MAB146, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1620; for MAB2, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1622; for MAB20, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1626; for MAB43, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1629; for MAB46, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1633; for MAB50, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1637; for MAB66, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1640; for MAB4, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1644; for MAB15 synthetic gene, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1645; for MAB17 synthetic gene, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1646; for MAB18 synthetic gene, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1647; for MAB137 synthetic gene, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO: 1648; and for MAB3 synthetic gene, the reverse primer was SEQ ID NO:1649, which are designed to span the introduced promoter and gene, in the binary vector.

Synthetic sequences [such as of MAB14, nucleotide SEQ ID NO:23, which encodes protein SEQ ID NO:219) of some of the cloned polynucleotides were ordered from a commercial supplier (GeneArt, GmbH). To optimize the coding sequence, codon-usage Tables calculated from plant transcriptomes were used [example of such Tables can be found in the Codon Usage Database available online at Hypertext Transfer Protocol://World Wide Web (dot) kazusa (dot) or (dot) jp/codon/]. The optimized coding sequences were designed in a way that no changes were introduced in the encoded amino acid sequence while using codons preferred for expression in dicotyledonous plants mainly tomato and Arabidopsis; and monocotyledonous plants such as maize. Such optimized sequences promote better translation rate and therefore higher protein expression levels. Parts of the sequences were ordered as the original sequences. To the optimized/non-optimized sequences flanking additional unique restriction enzymes sites were added to facilitate cloning genes in binary vectors.

Promoters used: Arabidopsis At6669 promoter (SEQ ID NO:1652; which is SEQ ID NO:61 of WO04081173 to Evogene Ltd.).

The sequences of the cloned cDNAs are provided in SEQ ID NOs: 1530-1534, 1536-1545, 1547-1566, 1654, 1665, 1666, 1667 and 1668. The protein translation of the amplified cDNA sequence matched exactly that of the initial bioinformatics prediction of the protein sequences. The predicted polypeptide sequences of the cloned polynucleotides are provided in SEQ ID NOs:201, 212, 284, 213, 217, 317, 219, 221, 224, 225, 226, 227, 229, 237, 203, 247, 252, 205, 265, 267, 271, 277, 207, 208, 211, 283, 1655, 311, 334, and 254.

Example 4 Transforming Agrobacterium Tumefaciens Cells with Binary Vectors Harboring Putative ABST Genes

Each of the binary vectors described in Example 3 above are used to transform Agrobacterium cells. Two additional binary constructs, having a GUS/Luciferase reporter gene replacing the ABST gene (positioned downstream of the At6669 promoter), are used as negative controls.

The binary vectors are introduced to Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV301, or LB4404 competent cells (about 10⁹ cells/mL) by electroporation. The electroporation is performed using a MicroPulser electroporator (Biorad), 0.2 cm cuvettes (Biorad) and EC-2 electroporation program (Biorad). The treated cells are cultured in LB liquid medium at 28° C. for 3 hours, then plated over LB agar supplemented with gentamycin (50 mg/L; for Agrobacterium strains GV301) or streptomycin (300 mg/L; for Agrobacterium strain LB4404) and kanamycin (50 mg/L) at 28° C. for 48 hours. Abrobacterium colonies which developed on the selective media were analyzed by PCR using the primers described above (Example 3) with respect to identification of positive binary vector colonies. The resulting PCR products are isolated and sequenced as described in Example 3 above, to verify that the correct ABST sequences are properly introduced to the Agrobacterium cells.

Example 5 Transformation of Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants with Putative ABST Genes

Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia plants (To plants) are transformed using the Floral Dip procedure described by Clough and Bent (10) and by Desfeux et al. (11), with minor modifications. Briefly, T₀ Plants are sown in 250 ml pots filled with wet peat-based growth mix. The pots are covered with aluminum foil and a plastic dome, kept at 4° C. for 3-4 days, then uncovered and incubated in a growth chamber at 18-24° C. under 16/8 hour light/dark cycles. The T₀ plants are ready for transformation six days before anthesis.

Single colonies of Agrobacterium carrying the binary constructs, are generated as described in Example 4 above. Colonies are cultured in LB medium supplemented with kanamycin (50 mg/L) and gentamycin (50 mg/L). The cultures are incubated at 28° C. for 48 hours under vigorous shaking and then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes. The pellets comprising the Agrobacterium cells are re-suspended in a transformation medium containing half-strength (2.15 g/L) Murashige-Skoog (Duchefa); 0.044 μM benzylamino purine (Sigma); 112 μg/L B5 Gambourg vitamins (Sigma); 5% sucrose; and 0.2 ml/L Silwet L-77 (OSI Specialists, CT) in double-distilled water, at pH of 5.7.

Transformation of T₀ plants is performed by inverting each plant into an Agrobacterium suspension, such that the above ground plant tissue is submerged for 3-5 seconds. Each inoculated T₀ plant is immediately placed in a plastic tray, then covered with clear plastic dome to maintain humidity and is kept in the dark at room temperature for 18 hours, to facilitate infection and transformation. Transformed (transgenic) plants are then uncovered and transferred to a greenhouse for recovery and maturation. The transgenic T₀ plants are grown in the greenhouse for 3-5 weeks until siliques are brown and dry. Seeds are harvested from plants and kept at room temperature until sowing.

For generating T₁ and T₂ transgenic plants harboring the genes, seeds collected from transgenic T₀ plants are surface-sterilized by soaking in 70% ethanol for 1 minute, followed by soaking in 5% sodium hypochloride and 0.05% triton for 5 minutes. The surface-sterilized seeds are thoroughly washed in sterile distilled water then placed on culture plates containing half-strength Murashige-Skoog (Duchefa); 2% sucrose; 0.8% plant agar; 50 mM kanamycin; and 200 mM carbenicylin (Duchefa). The culture plates are incubated at 4° C. for 48 hours then transferred to a growth room at 25° C. for an additional week of incubation. Vital T₁ Arabidopsis plants are transferred to a fresh culture plates for another week of incubation. Following incubation the T₁ plants are removed from culture plates and planted in growth mix contained in 250 ml pots. The transgenic plants are allowed to grow in a greenhouse to maturity. Seeds harvested from T₁ plants are cultured and grown to maturity as T₂ plants under the same conditions as used for culturing and growing the T₁ plants.

Example 6 Improved ABST in Tissue Culture Assay

Assay 1: Plant Growth Under Osmotic Stress (PEG) in Tissue Culture Conditions

Osmotic stress (PEG)—conditions resembling the high osmolarity found during drought (e.g., 25% PEG8000). One of the consequences of drought is the induction of osmotic stress in the area surrounding the roots; therefore, in many scientific studies, PEG serves to simulate drought.

Surface sterilized seeds are sown in basal media [50% Murashige-Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.8% plant agar as solidifying agent] in the presence of Kanamycin (for selecting only transgenic plants). After sowing, plates are transferred for 2-3 days at 4° C. for stratification and then grown at 25° C. under 12-hour light 12-hour dark daily cycles for 7 to 10 days. At this time point, seedlings randomly chosen are carefully transferred to plates hold 25% PEG in 0.5 MS media or normal conditions (0.5 MS media). Each plate contains 5 seedlings of same event, and 3-4 different plates (replicates) for each event. For each polynucleotide of the invention at least four independent transformation events are analyzed from each construct. Plants expressing the polynucleotides of the invention are compared to the average measurement of the control plants Mock-transgenic plants expressing the uidA reporter gene (GUS Intron—GUI) under the same promoter were used as control.

Digital Imaging

A laboratory image acquisition system, which consists of a digital reflex camera (Canon EOS 300D) attached with a 55 mm focal length lens (Canon EF-S series), mounted on a reproduction device (Kaiser RS), which included 4 light units (4×150 Watts light bulb) and located in a darkroom, was used for capturing images of plantlets sawn in square agar plates.

The image capturing process was repeated every 7 days starting at day 0 till day 14. The same camera attached with a 24 mm focal length lens (Canon EF series), placed in a custom made iron mount was used for capturing images.

An image analysis system was used, which consists of a personal desktop computer (Intel P4 3.0 GHz processor) and a public domain program—ImageJ 1.37 (Java based image processing program which was developed at the U.S. National Institutes of Health and freely available on the internet at Hypertext Transfer Protocol://rsbweb (dot) nih (dot) gov/). Images were captured in resolution of 6 Mega Pixels (3072×2048 pixels) and stored in a low compression JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group standard) format. Next, analyzed data was saved to text files and processed using the JMP statistical analysis software (SAS institute).

Seedling Analysis

Using the digital analysis seedling data was calculated, including leaf area, root coverage and root length.

The Relative Growth Rate (RGR) was calculated according to the following formula I. Relative growth area rate=(ΔArea/Δt)*(1/Area t0)  Formula I:

Δt is the current analyzed image day subtracted from the initial day (t−t0). Thus, the relative growth area rate is in units of 1/day and length growth rate is in units of 1/day.

At the end of the experiment, plantlets were removed from the media and weighed for the determination of plant fresh weight. Relative Growth Rate is determined by comparing the leaf area, root length and root coverage between each couple of sequential photographs, and results are used to resolve the effect of the gene introduced on plant vigor, under osmotic stress, as well as under optimal conditions. Similarly, the effect of the gene introduced on biomass accumulation, under osmotic stress as well as under optimal conditions, is determined by comparing the plants' fresh weight to control plants (GUI).

Statistical Analyses

To identify outperforming genes and constructs, results from the independent transformation events are evaluate for the overall influence of the gene (gene effect) and for each of the tested events (best event). Student's t test were applied, using significance of p<0.05 or p<0.1. The JMP statistics software package is used (Version 5.2.1, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C., USA).

Experimental Results

The polynucleotide sequences of the invention were assayed for a number of desired traits.

Tables 5-6 depict analyses of Leaf Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter under 25% PEG conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control, with A indicating a difference at a P<0.05 level of significance and, A* a difference at a P<0.1 level of significance.

TABLE 5 Genes showing improve Leaf Area under 25% PEG Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], 25% PEG Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.38 B 0.38 B 0.68 B 0.68 B MAB1 0.49 A 0.63 A 67 0.72 B 6 0.80 18 MAB25 0.33 C 0.49 A 28 0.61 B 0.88 A 30 Table 5: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 6 Genes showing improve Leaf Area under 25% PEG Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], 25% PEG Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B 0.44 B 0.44 B MAB15 0.25 B 0.32 A 43 0.36 B 0.48 B 9 MAB17 0.27 A 0.36 A 57 0.46 B 0.65 A 48 MAB18 0.30 A 0.36 A 57 0.39 B 0.51 B 15 MAB35 0.21 B 0.26 B 14 0.38 B 0.60 A 36 Table 6: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 7-9 depict analyses of Roots Coverage in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter under 25% PEG conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 7 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], 25% PEG Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 4.37 B 4.37 B 6.69 B 6.69 B MAB1 7.17 A 10.32 A 136 9.25 A 9.73 A 45 Table 7: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 8 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], 25% PEG Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 4.04 B 4.04 B 11.09 B 11.09 B MAB15 4.53 B 5.60 A 39 10.10 B 11.74 B 6 MAB18 5.23 A 6.79 A 68 9.92 B 10.29 B −7 MAB146 5.10 B 7.01 A 73 8.67 B 10.04 B −9 Table 8: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 9 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], 25% PEG Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 2.11 B 2.11 B 5.67 B 5.67 B MAB18 2.05 B 2.75 B 30 5.40 B 8.76 A 55 MAB32 1.98 B 5.06 A 140 4.31 B 10.55 A 86 MAB35 2.62 B 3.82 A 81 7.19  A* 10.04 A 77 MAB4 3.03 A 5.64 A 168 7.38  A* 11.38 A 101 MAB146 1.84 B 3.65 A 73 5.05 B 9.21 A 63 Table 9: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 10-11 depict analyses of Roots Length in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in 25% PEG. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 10 Roots Length [cm], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 4.71 A 4.71 A 5.71 B 5.71 B MAB1 5.37 A 5.91 A 25 6.09 B 6.40 B 12 Table 10: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 11 Roots Length [cm], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 2.88 B 2.88 B 5.11 B 5.11 B MAB18 3.22 B 4.29 A 49 4.86 B 6.33 B 24 MAB32 2.74 B 5.78 A 101 3.75 B 7.17 A 40 MAB35 3.35  A* 4.79 A 66 5.30 B 6.76 A 32 MAB4 3.25 B 4.80 A 67 5.24 B 7.32 A 43 MAB146 2.43 B 4.00 A 39 4.04 B 6.39 A 25 Table 11: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 12-13 depict analyses of Leaf Area RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in 25% PEG. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 12 Leaf Area RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.46 B 0.46 B 0.12 B 0.12 B MAB1 0.68 A 1.47 A 222 0.20 A 0.30 A 151 MAB17 0.43 B 0.50 B 8 0.17 B 0.29 A 145 MAB35 0.65 A 0.71 A 54 0.19 A 0.23 A 93 MAB146 0.55 B 0.80 A 75 0.16 B 0.20 B 66 Table 12: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 13 Leaf Area RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.49 B 0.49 B 0.24 B 0.24 B MAB6 0.89 A 1.60 A 226 0.27 B 0.33 B 39 Table 13: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 14-18 depict analyses of Roots Coverage RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in 25% PEG. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 14 Roots Coverage RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 5.74 B 5.74 B 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB25 4.03 B 5.44 B −5 0.16 B 0.21 A 96 MAB44 5.32 B 7.79 B 36 0.17 B 0.28 A 155 Table 14: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 15 Roots Coverage RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.43 B 0.43 B 0.30 B 0.30 B MAB1 2.16 A 3.09 A 621 0.36 B 0.43 A 44 MAB15 1.55 A 2.81 A 555 0.30 B 0.33 B 9 MAB17 1.99 A 4.08 A 852 0.35 B 0.53 A 78 MAB18 1.44 A 1.90 A 343 0.29 B 0.36 B 19 MAB35 1.10 B 1.71 B 298 0.37 B 0.48 A 59 MAB146 2.16 A 4.03 A 841 0.30 B 0.41 A 38 Table 15: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant difference at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant difference at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 16 Roots Coverage RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 1.27 B 1.27 B 0.08 B 0.08 B MAB100 1.26 B 1.52 B 19 0.12 B 0.19 A 131 MAB134 1.64  A* 2.20 A 73 0.08 B 0.12 B 48 MAB13 1.57 B 2.16 A 70 0.19 A 0.32 A 294 MAB15 1.61  A* 2.71 A 113 0.10 B 0.13 B 56 MAB17 2.15 A 2.24 A 76 0.13 B 0.15 B 88 MAB3_GA 1.52 B 2.02 A 58 0.09 B 0.12 B 45 Table 16: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 17 Roots Coverage RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.95 B 0.95 B 0.30 B 0.30 B MAB18 0.75 B 2.04 A 116 0.29 B 0.47 A 60 MAB35 1.44  A* 4.53 A 379 0.32 B 0.48 A 63 MAB4 1.28 B 2.17 A 129 0.29 B 0.44 A 49 MAB146 0.47 B 0.86 B −9 0.35 B 0.45 A 52 Table17: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 18 Roots Coverage RGR [cm{circumflex over ( )}2/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 1.66 B 1.66 B 0.21 B 0.21 B MAB43 1.43 B 2.24 B 35 0.29 A 0.39 A 86 Table 18: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 19-21 depict analyses of Roots Length RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in 25% PEG. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 19 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B 0.09 B 0.09 B MAB1 0.46 A 0.58 A 148 0.12 A 0.14 A 58 MAB15 0.43 A 0.58 A 148 0.08 B 0.10 B 16 MAB17 0.45 A 0.57 A 147 0.11 A 0.16 A 87 MAB18 0.41 A 0.44 A 89 0.10 B 0.13 A 45 MAB35 0.31 B 0.37 A 59 0.10 B 0.13 A 51 MAB146 0.49 A 0.65 A 178 0.09 B 0.10 B 17 Table19: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 20 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B 0.07 B 0.07 B MAB134 0.28 A 0.33 A 68 0.07 B 0.08 B 16 MAB13 0.34 A 0.46 A 133 0.11 A 0.15 A 113 MAB15 0.30 A 0.47 A 139 0.06 B 0.07 B 1 MAB17 0.39 A 0.44 A 121 0.09 B 0.10 B 39 MAB3_GA 0.28 A 0.34 A 72 0.05 B 0.08 B 8 Table 20; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 21 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], PEG 25% Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.29 B 0.29 B 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB137 0.27 B 0.39 A 32 0.11 B 0.12 B 11 MAB43 0.33 B 0.49 A 66 0.14 A 0.17 A 60 MAB50 0.37 A 0.53 A 82 0.13 B 0.15 A 45 MAB6 0.33 B 0.43 A 47 0.12 B 0.15 B 38 Table 21; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 22-23 depict analyses of Plant Fresh Weight in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in 25% PEG. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 22 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], PEG 25% LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB15 0.25 B 0.30 A 51 MAB18 0.21 B 0.26 A 33 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 23 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], PEG 25% LSM % Gene best improvement Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.18 B 0.18 B MAB17 0.22 B 0.29 A 66 MAB3_ 0.18 B 0.27 A 53 GA LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 24-27 depict analyses of Leaf Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 24 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal Conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.49 B 0.49 B 0.82 B 0.82 B MAB1 0.65 A 0.73 A 47 1.00 A 1.13 A 38 Table 24; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significantly different at P < 0.05. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 25 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal Conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.24 B 0.24 B 0.56 B 0.56 B MAB17 0.31 A 0.34 A 40 0.73 A 0.90 A 61 MAB18 0.29 A 0.37 A 52 0.69 A 0.79 A 42 Table 25: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 26 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal Conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.39 B 0.39 B 0.98 B 0.98 B MAB15 0.46  A* 0.61 A 57 1.22 A 1.38 A 41 MAB17 0.46  A* 0.57 A 47 1.13 A* 1.32 A 34 MAB3_GA 0.38 B 0.56 A 45 0.97 B 1.38 A 40 Table 26: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); ); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 27 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.34 B 0.34 B 0.67 B 0.67 B MAB6 0.32 B 0.41 A 19 0.60 B 0.74 B 0.60 Table 27: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 28-31 depict analyses of Roots Coverage in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 28 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.34 B 3.34 B 11.61 B 11.61 B MAB18 3.31 B 4.78 A 43 10.66 B 13.30 B 14 Table 28; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 29 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 5.40 B 5.40 B MAB100 5.05 B 7.06 A 31 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 30 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.53 B 3.53 B 8.52 B 8.52 B MAB18 4.17  A* 5.30 A 50 9.81 A* 12.89 A 51 MAB32 2.55 B 4.71 A 33 6.40 B 12.37 A 45 MAB35 3.73 B 4.59 A 30 8.55 B 11.12 A 30 MAB46 2.46 B 3.42 B −3 6.55 B 10.98 A 29 MAB146 2.33 B 3.95 B 12 7.05 B 10.86 A 28 Table 30: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 31 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.73 B 3.73 B 7.11 B 7.11 B MAB6 3.63 B 4.94 A 33 6.30 B 8.00 B 13 Table 31: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 32-33 depict analyses of Roots Length in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 32 Roots Length [cm], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 5.89 B 5.89 B 6.82 B 6.82 B MAB1 6.73 A 7.39 A 26 7.02 B 7.63 B 12 MAB10 5.45 B 8.07 A 37 5.83 B 8.18 B 20 Table 32: LSM = Least square mean % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 33 Roots Length [cm], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement best of Best best of Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.96 B 3.96 B 6.51 B 6.51 B MAB18 5.07 A 5.70 A 44 7.08 A 8.03 A 23 MAB32 3.68 B 6.12 A 55 5.82 B 8.22 A 26 MAB35 4.58 A 5.76 A 46 6.77 B 7.75 A 19 MAB46 3.39 B 4.31 B 9 5.55 B 7.42 A 14 MAB146 3.14 B 4.82 A 22 5.47 B 7.48 A 15 Table 33: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 34-36 depict analyses of Leaf Area RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 34 Leaf Area RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.43 B 0.43 B 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB15 0.79 A 1.25 A 189 0.21 B 0.27 B 36 MAB146 0.62 B 0.97 A 124 0.15 C 0.18 B −13 Table 34: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 35 Leaf Area RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.73 B 0.73 B 0.21 B 0.21 B MAB100 0.72 B 1.00 A 37 0.27 B 0.32 A 48 MAB134 0.85 B 0.92 B 27 0.31 A 0.37 A 75 MAB15 0.88  A* 1.24 A 70 0.28 B 0.33 A 56 MAB17 0.91 A 1.18 A 62 0.26 B 0.33 A 55 MAB3_GA 0.88 B 1.16 A 59 0.27 B 0.31 B 46 Table 35: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 36 Leaf Area RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.92 B 0.29 B 0.29 B MAB32 0.95 B 1.31 A 43 0.28 B 0.31 B 5 Table 36: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 37-41 depict analyses of Roots Coverage RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 37 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 5.62 B 5.62 B 0.18 B 0.18 B MAB10 7.69 B 15.10 A 168 0.08 B 0.14 B −20 MAB44 5.28 B 11.69 A 108 0.13 B 0.17 B −5 Table 37: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 38 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B 0.40 B 0.40 B MAB1 0.90 A 1.23 A 444 0.33 B 0.42 B 7 MAB15 1.06 A 1.65 A 628 0.34 B 0.42 B 6 MAB18 0.94 A 1.76 A 677 0.37 B 0.52 B 32 MAB35 0.56 B 1.00 A 342 0.38 B 0.41 B 3 MAB146 0.80 A 1.09 A 381 0.35 B 0.50 B 26 Table 38; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 39 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 1.64 B 1.64 B 0.12 B 0.12 B MAB134 3.09 A 4.38 A 167 0.14 B 0.17 B 35 MAB13 2.47 A 2.82 A 72 0.11 B 0.13 B 6 MAB15 1.96 B 2.75 A 68 0.15 B 0.16 B 33 MAB17 2.09 B 3.09 A 89 0.15 B 0.20 A 60 Table 39: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 40 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 2.53 B 2.53 B 0.24 B 0.24 B MAB35 1.66 B 4.14 A 63 0.29 B 0.54 A 123 MAB4 1.46 B 2.64 B 4 0.32 B 0.42 A 73 MAB146 0.62 B 0.95 B −63 0.41 A 0.75 A 207 Table 40: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 41 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 1.08 B 1.08 B 0.31 B 0.31 B MAB137 1.36 B 2.03 A 88 0.26 B 0.31 B 1 MAB43 1.39 B 2.35 A 118 0.23 B 0.27 B −12 MAB50 1.57 A 1.98 A 83 0.27 B 0.30 B −3 MAB6 1.16 B 1.94 A 80 0.25 B 0.29 B −6 MAB99 1.48 A 2.63 A 144 0.21 B 0.27 B −13 Table 41: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 42-46 depict analyses of Roots Length RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 42 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 1.07 B 1.07 B MAB10 1.29 B 2.01 A 88 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 43 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.17 B 0.17 B MAB1 0.26 A 0.34 A 93 MAB15 0.32 A 0.45 A 156 MAB17 0.24 A 0.28 A 61 MAB18 0.30 A 0.41 A 136 MAB146 0.26 A 0.34 A 93 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 44 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.29 B 0.29 B 0.08 B 0.08 B MAB100 0.36 B 0.39 B 31 0.08 B 0.13 A 67 MAB134 0.51 A 0.63 A 115 0.08 B 0.09 B 23 MAB13 0.50 A 0.61 A 107 0.08 B 0.09 B 19 MAB15 0.40 A 0.53 A 79 0.08 B 0.09 B 19 MAB17 0.38  A* 0.44 A 49 0.10 A 0.13 A 70 Table 44: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 45 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 14 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB32 0.11 B 0.15 A 35 MAB35 0.11 B 0.20 A 76 MAB4 0.11 B 0.17 A 50 MAB146 0.15 A 0.19 A 71 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); ); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 46 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], Normal conditions Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.31 B 0.31 B 0.12 B 0.12 B MAB137 0.33 B 0.40 A 31 0.11 B 0.12 B −1 MAB43 0.33 B 0.44 A 41 0.11 B 0.12 B −2 MAB50 0.39 A 0.42 A 35 0.13 B 0.17 A 34 MAB6 0.30 B 0.41 A 33 0.12 B 0.18 A 41 Table 46: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 47-48 depict analyses of Plant Fresh Weight in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in normal conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 47 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], Normal conditions Day 14 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.15 B 0.15 B MAB15 0.24 A 0.28 A 93 MAB17 0.21 A 0.25 A 73 MAB18 0.22 A 0.29 A 101 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 48 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], Normal conditions Day 14 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB100 0.28  A* 0.33 A 62 MAB134 0.23 B 0.34 A 64 MAB13 0.31 A 0.35 A 73 MAB15 0.38 A 0.42 A 106 MAB17 0.37 A 0.53 A 159 MAB3_ 0.28  A* 0.40 A 94 GA LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); ); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Assay 2: Plant Growth at Nitrogen Deficiency Under Tissue Culture Conditions

The present inventors have found the NUE (Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency) assay to be relevant for the evaluation of the ABST candidate genes, since NUE deficiency encourages root elongation, increase of root coverage and allows detecting the potential of the plant to generate a better root system under drought conditions. In addition, there are indications in the literature (Wesley et al., 2002 Journal of Experiment Botany Vol. 53, No. 366, pp. 13-25) that biological mechanisms of NUE and drought tolerance are linked.

Surface sterilized seeds are sown in basal media [50% Murashige-Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.8% plant agar as solidifying agent] in the presence of Kanamycin (for selecting only transgenic plants). After sowing, plates are transferred for 2-3 days at 4° C. for stratification and then grown at 25° C. under 12-hour light 12-hour dark daily cycles for 7 to 10 days. At this time point, seedlings randomly chosen are carefully transferred to plates holding nitrogen-limiting conditions: 0.5 MS media in which the combined nitrogen concentration (NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃) is 0.75 mM (nitrogen deficient conditions) or to plates holding normal nitrogen conditions: 0.5 MS media in which the combined nitrogen concentration (NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃) is 3 mM (normal nitrogen concentration). All tissue culture experiments were grown at the same time (NUE, PEG and Normal). Results for growth under normal conditions for NUE are the same as for PEG and are presented in assay 1. Each plate contains 5 seedlings of the same event, and 3-4 different plates (replicates) for each event. For each polynucleotide of the invention at least four independent transformation events are analyzed from each construct. Plants expressing the polynucleotides of the invention are compared to the average measurement of the control plants (GUI-harboring the GUS gene under the same promoter) used in the same experiment.

Digital Imaging and Statistical Analysis

Parameters were measured and analyzed as described in Assay 1 above.

Experimental Results

The polynucleotide sequences of the invention were assayed for a number of desired traits.

Tables 49-53 depict analyses of Leaf Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 49 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.45 B 0.45 B 0.41 B 0.41 B MAB1 0.49 B 0.65 A 44 0.50 A 0.55 A 35 MAB10 0.46 B 0.62 A 38 0.51 A 0.69 A 68 MAB6 0.42 B 0.53 B 17 0.49 B 0.61 A 49 Table 49: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 50 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B 0.41 B 0.41 B MAB1 0.22 B 0.24 B 5 0.50 A 0.55 A 35 MAB15 0.25 B 0.32 A 43 0.51 A 0.69 A 68 MAB17 0.27 A 0.36 A 57 0.55 A 0.70 A 72 MAB18 0.30 A 0.36 A 57 0.59 A 0.73 A 80 MAB35 0.21 B 0.26 B 14 0.49 B 0.61 A 49 MAB146 0.26 B 0.28 B 23 0.55 A 0.60 A 48 Table 50: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 51 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.34 B 0.34 B MAB17 0.32 B 0.44 A 31 MAB3_ 0.32 B 0.44 A 31 GA LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 52 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.21 B 0.21 B 0.63 B 0.63 B MAB18 0.23 B 0.31 A 50 0.58 B 0.77 A 22 MAB4 0.20 B 0.31 A 48 0.54 B 0.82 A 30 MAB146 0.21 B 0.29 A 41 0.48 C 0.59 B −6 Table 52: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 53 Leaf Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting Day 10 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 0.27 B 0.27 B 0.51 B 0.51 B MAB43 0.25 B 0.35 A 29 0.47 B 0.60 B 18 MAB50 0.28 B 0.32 B 19 0.54 B 0.66 A 31 MAB6 0.28 B 0.35 A 28 0.54 B 0.69 A 35 MAB66 0.28 B 0.34 A 25 0.51 B 0.59 B 17 MAB99 0.27 B 0.35 A 28 0.51 B 0.59 B 16 Table 53: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 54-57 depict analyses of Roots Coverage in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 54 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting Day 14 from planting % % LSM improvement LSM improvement Gene Signif- best Signif- of Best Signif- best Signif- of Best Id LSM icance* Event icance* event LSM icance* Event icance* event GUI 6.18 B 6.18 B 14.36 B 14.36 B MAB1 7.33 B 8.56 A 39 13.18 B 16.22 B 13 MAB10 7.93 A 10.38 A 68 13.32 B 14.67 B 2 MAB25 5.83 B 6.93 B 12 11.12 A 13.90 B −3 MAB44 5.37 B 9.93 A 61 11.14 A 17.59 B 22 MAB6 6.88 B 9.31 A 51 12.79 B 15.66 B 9 Table 54: LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 55 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 4.04 B 4.04 B 12.24 B 12.24 B MAB15 4.53 B 5.60 A 39 13.70 B 16.40 A 34 MAB17 4.15 B 4.85 B 20 13.16 B 15.06 A 23 MAB18 5.23 A 6.79 A 68 14.47 A 15.52 A 27 MAB35 4.03 B 4.90 B 21 13.95 B 15.62 A 28 MAB146 5.10 B 7.01 A 73 14.65 A 15.70 A 28 Table 55; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 56 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.14 B 3.14 B 10.88 B 10.88 B MAB18 5.39 A 7.64 A 144 12.76 B 16.64 A 53 MAB32 3.58 B 7.13 A 127 9.79 B 16.22 A 49 MAB35 5.00 A 6.49 A 107 13.31 A 15.36 A 41 MAB4 4.16 B 7.34 A 134 12.00 B 16.52 A 52 MAB46 3.01 B 3.78 B 21 8.35 C 12.09 B 11 MAB146 4.22 B 7.34 A 134 11.48 B 14.98 A 38 Table 56; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 57 Roots Coverage [cm{circumflex over ( )}2], NUE 0.75 mM Day 10 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of best of Best best Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 4.56 B 4.56 B 9.81 B 9.81 B MAB6 5.66 A 7.98 A 75 10.61 B 14.87 A 52 MAB66 5.83 A 6.58 A 44 10.31 B 11.49 B 17 Table 57; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 58-61 depict analyses of Roots Length in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 58 Roots Length [cm], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 6.31 B 6.31 B MAB44 5.34 B 7.07 A 12 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 59 Roots Length [cm], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 4.55 B 4.55 B 7.23 B 7.23 B MAB15 4.48 B 5.40 A 19 6.93 B 7.49 B 4 MAB18 4.61 B 5.48 A 20 7.59 B 7.86 B 9 MAB146 4.70 B 5.20 B 14 7.66 B 7.95 A 10 Table 59; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 60 Roots Length [cm], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of best of Best best Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 3.61 B 3.61 B 6.15 B 6.15 B MAB18 4.93 A 6.44 A 79 7.30 A 8.11 A 32 MAB32 4.02 B 6.48 A 80 6.53 B 8.51 A 38 MAB35 4.70 A 5.47 A 52 7.20 A 7.46 A 21 MAB4 4.06  A* 5.54 A 54 6.60 B 8.02 A 30 MAB146 3.77 B 5.54 A 54 6.09 B 7.19 A 17 Table 60; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 61 Roots Length [cm], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 4.87 B 4.87 B MAB66 5.27 B 5.74 A 18 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 62-64 depict analyses of Leaf Area RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 62 Leaf area RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.46 B 0.46 B 0.12 B 0.12 B MAB1 0.68 A 1.47 A 222 0.20 A 0.30 A 151 MAB17 0.43 B 0.50 B 8 0.17 B 0.29 A 145 MAB35 0.65 A 0.71 A 54 0.19 A 0.23 A 93 MAB146 0.55 B 0.80 A 75 0.16 B 0.20 B 66 Table 62; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 63 Leaf area RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.80 B 0.80 B MAB18 0.87 B 1.24 A 56 MAB32 0.94 B 1.53 A 91 MAB35 0.96 B 1.21 A 51 MAB4 0.71 B 0.81 B 1 MAB46 0.64 B 0.75 B −7 MAB146 0.82 B 1.04 B 30 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 64 Leaf area RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 10 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of best of Best best Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 1.22 B 1.22 B 0.28 B 0.28 B MAB137 2.12 B 5.12 A 319 0.29 B 0.35 B 25 MAB43 1.94 B 5.18 A 323 0.29 B 0.35 B 28 MAB50 1.15 B 1.76 B 44 0.32 B 0.41 A 50 Table 64; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 65-69 depict analyses of Roots Coverage RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B, C) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 65 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 5.35 B 5.35 B 0.28 B 0.28 B MAB25 7.38 B 11.62 A 117 0.19 C 0.26 B −6 MAB44 7.19 B 11.52 A 115 0.26 B 0.35 B 23 Table 65; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 66 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.43 B 0.43 B 0.30 B 0.30 B MAB1 2.16 A 3.09 A 621 0.36 B 0.43 A 44 MAB15 1.55 A 2.81 A 555 0.30 B 0.33 B 9 MAB17 1.99 A 4.08 A 852 0.35 B 0.53 A 78 MAB18 1.44 A 1.90 A 343 0.29 B 0.36 B 19 MAB35 1.10 B 1.71 B 298 0.37 B 0.48 A 59 MAB146 2.16 A 4.03 A 841 0.30 B 0.41 A 38 Table 66; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 67 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 2.30 B 2.30 B MAB100 2.85 B 4.02 A 74 MAB134 4.27 A 5.99 A 160 MAB13 3.95 A 4.84 A 110 MAB15 3.05  A* 3.97 A 73 MAB17 2.96 B 3.76 A 63 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 68 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of best of Best best Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 2.28 B 2.28 B 0.44 B 0.44 B MAB35 2.02 B 4.82 A 111 0.33 B 0.53 B 20 MAB4 1.80 B 2.90 B 27 0.40 B 0.63 A 42 Table 68; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 69 Roots Coverage RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 7 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 1.60 B 1.60 B MAB137 2.19 A 2.55 B 60 MAB43 2.00 B 2.75 A 72 MAB50 2.26 A 3.28 A 105 MAB6 2.45 A 2.96 A 85 MAB66 1.81 B 2.87 A 80 MAB99 2.25 A 3.73 A 133 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 70-74 depict analyses of Roots Length RGR in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 70 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.99 B 0.99 B 0.04 B 0.04 B MAB44 1.10 B 1.64 A 65 0.06 B 0.09 A 108 Table 70; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 71 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B 0.09 B 0.09 B MAB1 0.46 A 0.58 A 148 0.12 A 0.14 A 58 MAB15 0.43 A 0.58 A 148 0.08 B 0.10 B 16 MAB17 0.45 A 0.57 A 147 0.11 A 0.16 A 87 MAB18 0.41 A 0.44 A 89 0.10 B 0.13 A 45 MAB35 0.31 B 0.37 A 59 0.10 B 0.13 A 51 Table 71; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 72 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.35 B 0.35 B 0.06 B 0.06 B MAB100 0.46 A 0.61 A 73 0.08 B 0.11 A 80 MAB134 0.62 A 0.73 A 107 0.09 A 0.10 A 60 MAB13 0.69 A 0.84 A 140 0.08 B 0.11 A 66 MAB15 0.52 A 0.58 A 66 0.07 B 0.09 B 44 MAB17 0.52 A 0.64 A 81 0.08 B 0.09 A 44 MAB3_GA 0.44 B 0.51 A 46 0.07 B 0.09 B 38 Table 72; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenouslv expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 73 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of Gene best of Best best Best Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.61 B 0.61 B 0.12 B 0.12 B MAB35 0.52 B 0.91 A 48 0.10 B 0.16 B 29 MAB4 0.53 B 0.65 B 6 0.12 B 0.19 A 52 MAB146 0.37 C 0.42 B −31 0.12 B 0.17 A 39 Table 73; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 74 Roots Length RGR [cm/day], NUE 0.75 mM Day 10 from planting Day 7 from planting % % improvement LSM improvement LSM of best of Best best Best Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* event LSM Significance* Event Significance* event GUI 0.36 B 0.36 B 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB137 0.46 A 0.55 A 52 0.13 B 0.18 A 72 MAB43 0.41 B 0.53 A 47 0.12 B 0.14 B 30 MAB50 0.48 A 0.57 A 59 0.12 B 0.16 A 46 MAB6 0.53 A 0.64 A 79 0.10 B 0.12 B 9 MAB66 0.41 B 0.55 A 54 0.10 B 0.12 B 9 MAB99 0.47 A 0.62 A 74 0.10 B 0.13 B 19 Table 74; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 75-76 depict analyses of Plant Fresh Weight in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter in nitrogen deficient conditions. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 75 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], NUE 0.75 mM Day 14 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.15 B MAB1 0.25 A 0.46 A 208 MAB6 0.20 B 0.29 A 95 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 76 Plant Fresh Weight [gr], NUE 0.75 mM Day 10 from planting LSM % best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.15 B MAB137 0.18 A 0.19 A 31 MAB50 0.16 B 0.22 A 49 MAB6 0.16 B 0.22 A 52 MAB66 0.15 B 0.19 A 32 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Example 7 Improved ABST in Greenhouse Assay

ABS Tolerance: Yield and Plant Growth Rate at High Salinity Concentration Under Greenhouse Conditions

This assay follows the rosette area growth of plants grown in the greenhouse as well as seed yield at high salinity irrigation. Seeds were sown in agar media supplemented only with a selection agent (Kanamycin) and Hoagland solution under nursery conditions. The T₂ transgenic seedlings are then transplanted to 1.7 trays filled with peat and perlite. The trails were irrigated with tap water (provided from the pots' bottom). Half of the plants are irrigated with a salt solution (40-80 mM NaCl and 5 mM CaCl₂) to induce salinity stress (stress conditions). The other half of the plants are continued to be irrigated with tap water (normal conditions). All plants are grown in the greenhouse until plants reach the mature seeds stage, then harvested (the above ground tissue) and weighted (immediately or following drying in oven at 50° C. for 24 hour). High salinity conditions are achieved by irrigation with a solution containing 40-80 mM NaCl (“ABS” growth conditions) and are compared to regular growth conditions.

The plants were analyzed for their overall size, growth rate, seed yield, and weight of 1,000 seeds, dry matter and harvest index (HI— seed yield/dry matter). Transgenic plants performance was compared to control plants grown in parallel under the same conditions. Mock-transgenic plants expressing the uidA reporter gene (GUS Intron—GUI) under the same promoter were used as control.

The experiment is planned in nested randomized plot distribution. High salinity conditions are achieved by irrigation with a solution containing 40-80 mM NaCl (“ABS” growth conditions).

Digital Imaging

A laboratory image acquisition system, which consists of a digital reflex camera (Canon EOS 300D) attached with a 55 mm focal length lens (Canon EF-S series), mounted on a reproduction device (Kaiser RS), which included 4 light units (4×150 Watts light bulb) was used for capturing images of plantlets.

The image capturing process was repeated every 2-3 days starting at day 1 after sowing till day 10. The same camera attached with a 24 mm focal length lens (Canon EF series), placed in a custom made iron mount, was used for capturing images of larger plants sawn in white tubs in an environmental controlled greenhouse (as seen on FIGS. 2a-b ). The tubs were square shape include 1.7 liter trays. During the capture process, the trays were placed beneath the iron mount, while avoiding direct sun light and casting of shadows. This process was repeated every 2-3 days for up to 10 days.

An image analysis system was used, which consists of a personal desktop computer (Intel P4 3.0 GHz processor) and a public domain program—ImageJ 1.37 (Java based image processing program which was developed at the U.S. National Institutes of Health and freely available on the internet at Hypertext Transfer Protocol://rsbweb (dot) nih (dot) gov/). Images were captured in resolution of 6 Mega Pixels (3072×2048 pixels) and stored in a low compression JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group standard) format. Next, analyzed data was saved to text files and processed using the JMP statistical analysis software (SAS institute).

Vegetative Parameters Analysis

Using the digital analysis leaves data was calculated, including leaf Average area, Rosette diameter and rosette area. The Relative Growth Rate (RGR) for the rosette parameters was calculated according to Formula I as described in Example 6. On day 80 from sowing, the plants were harvested and left to dry at 30° C. in a drying chamber. The biomass and seed weight of each plot was separated, measured and divided by the number of plants. Dry weight=total weight of the vegetative portion above ground (excluding roots) after drying at 30° C. in a drying chamber; Seed yield per plant=total seed weight per plant (gr).

The weight of 1000 seeds was determine as follows: seeds were scattered on a glass tray and a picture was taken. Each sample was weighted and then using the digital analysis, the number of seeds in each sample was calculated. 1000 seeds weight was calculated using formula II: 1000 Seed Weight=number of seed in sample/sample weight×1000  Formula II

Harvest Index—The harvest index was calculated using Formula III Harvest Index=Average seed yield per plant/Average dry weight  Formula III:

Each construct is validated in its T2 generation. Transgenic plants expressing the uidA reporter gene (GUI) under the same promoter are used as control.

Statistical Analyses

To identify genes conferring significantly improved tolerance to abiotic stresses or enlarged root architecture, the results obtained from the transgenic plants are compared to those obtained from control plants. To identify outperforming genes and constructs, results from the independent transformation events tested are analyzed separately. In addition, genes and constructs are also analyzed taking into consideration the results obtained from all the independent transformation events tested the specific construct. For gene versus control analysis Student's t test were applied, using significance of P<0.05 or P<0.1. The JMP statistics software package is used (Version 5.2.1, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C., USA).

Experimental Results

The polynucleotide sequences of the invention were assayed for a number of desired traits.

Tables 77-86 depict analyses of Rosette Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 77 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.58 B 0.58 B MAB20 0.59 B 0.84 A 43 MAB50 0.57 B 0.88 A 51 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 78 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 1.27 B 1.27 B MAB20 1.20 B 1.73 a 36 MAB50 1.2] B 2.04 a 61 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 79 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 3.62 B 3.62 B MAB20 3.97 B 5.18 A 43 MAB50 3.88 B 6.11 A 69 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 80 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 10 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 7.22 B 7.22 B MAB50 6.75 B 10.18 A 41 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 81 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 1.63 B 1.63 B MAB1 2.03 A 2.29 A 40 MAB6 1.34 B 2.40 A 47 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 82 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 2.88 B 2.88 B MAB1 3.41 A* 3.76 A 31 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1; . The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 83 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance* Event Significance* of Best event GUI 0.73 B 0.73 B MAB1 0.77 B 0.91 A 25 LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 84 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM of % Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 1.41 B 1.41 B MAB1 1.62  A* 2.02 A 44 MAB17 1.14 B 1.80 A 28 Table 84; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 85 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.37 B 2.37 B MAB1 2.59 B 3.56 A 50 MAB13 2.45 B 3.44 A 45 MAB17 1.96 C 3.10 A 31 Table 85; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 86 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 10 from planting LSM of % Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 4.67 B 4.67 B MAB1 5.37  A* 7.93 A 70 MAB15 4.78 B 6.08 A 30 MAB17 4.02 B 6.19 A 32 MAB3_GA 4.39 B 6.07 A 30 Table 86; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 87-96 depict analyses of Rosette Diameter in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 87 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting % LSM of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 1.50 B 1.50 B MAB50 1.35 B 1.80 A 20 Table 87; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 88 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 5 from planting LSM of % Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.05 B 2.05 B MAB50 1.82 C 2.44 A 19 Table 88; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 89 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 8 from planting % LSM of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 3.23 B 3.23 B MAB50 3.16 B 4.12 A 27 Table 89; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 90 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 10 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 4.47 B 4.47 B MAB50 4.20 B 5.31 A 19 Table 90; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 91 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 3 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.25 B 2.25 B MAB1 2.60 A 2.78 A 23 Table 91; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 92 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 5 from planting % LSM of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.87 B 2.87 B MAB1 3.27  A* 9.25 A 223 MAB20 2.63 B 9.69 A 238 MAB6 2.51 B 10.00 A 249 Table 92; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 93 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 8 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 4.90 B 4.90 B MAB6 4.35 B 6.26 A 28 Table 93; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 94 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 5 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.05 B 2.05 B MAB1 2.22 B 2.55 A 25 Table 94; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 95 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 8 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 2.56 B 2.56 B MAB1 2.78 B 3.29 A 29 MAB3_GA 2.56 B 3.04 A 19 Table 95; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 96 Rosette Diameter [cm] 80 mM NaCl Day 10 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 3.52 B 3.52 B MAB1 3.79 B 4.76 A 35 MAB17 3.24 B 4.14 A 17 MAB3_GA 3.44 B 4.12 A 17 Table 96; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 97-105 depict analyses of Leaf Average Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 97 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl Day 3 from planting % LSM of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.10 B 0.10 B MAB25 0.10 B 0.13 A 30 Table 97; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 98 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl Day 5 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.16 B 0.16 B MAB50 0.15 B 0.23 A 45 Table 98; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 99 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.45 B 0.45 B MAB50 0.41 B 0.61 A 34 Table 99; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 100 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 10 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.74 B 0.74 B MAB50 0.66 B 0.92 A 25 Table 100; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 101 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB1 0.25 A 0.28 A 43 MAB6 0.18 B 0.30 A 51 MAB7 0.23 B 0.27 A 36 Table 101; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 102 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.69 B  0.69 B  MAB1 0.80 A* 0.86 A* 24 MAB20 0.62 B  0.87 A  25 MAB6 0.59 B  0.99 A  44 Table 102; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 103 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB1 0.22 B 0.27 A 30 MAB17 — — 0.25 A 21 Table 103; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 104 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.28 B 0.28 B MAB1 0.30 B 0.37 A 33 MAB17 0.24 B 0.34 A 22 Table 104; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 105 Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 10 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.49 B 0.49 B MAB1 0.55 B 0.76 A 53 MAB15 0.52 B 0.63 A 26 MAB17 0.45 B 0.64 A 28 Table 105; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 106-111 depict analyses of RGR Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] of plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 106 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.73 B  0.73 B  MAB10 1.21 B  1.86 A  156 MAB14 1.31 B  1.80 A  149 MAB2 1.59 A  2.24 A  208 MAB20 1.87 A  2.33 A  221 MAB25 1.44 A  1.63 A* 125 MAB36 1.49 A  1.89 A  161 MAB43 1.73 A  3.85 A  430 MAB44 1.76 A  2.51 A  246 MAB50 1.37 A* 1.57 A* 117 MAB9 1.47 A  1.75 A  141 Table 106; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 107 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.61 B  0.61 B MAB10 0.75 A* 0.91 A 50 MAB14 0.79 A  0.86 B 42 MAB19 0.78 A  0.85 A 41 MAB2 0.80 A  0.93 A 54 MAB20 0.79 A  0.98 A 61 MAB36 0.83 A  0.95 A 56 MAB44 0.75 A* 0.84 A 38 MAB50 0.76 A* 0.83 B 38 MAB6 0.82 A  0.99 A 64 MAB7 0.78 A  0.87 A 44 MAB9 0.77 A  0.84 A 38 Table 107; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 108 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.38 B 0.38 B MAB6 0.37 B 0.51 A 33 Table 108; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 109 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.88 B  0.88 B MAB18 0.99 A* 1.24 A 41 Table 109; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 110 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM % of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.47 B  0.47 B  MAB1 0.55 A  0.64 A  38 MAB13 0.52 A  0.54 A* 16 MAB17 0.52 A  0.54 A* 17 MAB18 0.53 A  0.58 A  24 MAB3_GA 0.53 A  0.62 A  33 MAB32 0.52 A* 0.54 A* 17 MAB35 0.54 A  0.57 A  22 MAB4 0.51 A* 0.51 A* 10 MAB46 0.52 A* 0.55 A  19 MAB146 0.54 A  0.55 A  19 MAB99 0.53 A  0.57 A  23 Table 110; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 111 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.49 B  0.49 B  MAB1 0.53 B  0.62 A  27 MAB35 0.57 A* 0.59 A* 22 MAB46 0.55 B  0.63 A  30 Table 111; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 112-118 depict analyses of RGR of Rosette Diameter in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 112 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.28 B MAB2 0.41 B 0.80 A 184 MAB43 0.46 B 0.83 A 195 MAB44 0.40 B 0.73 A 160 Table 112; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 113 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM of Best % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.19 B 0.19 B MAB1 0.22 B 0.24 B 25 MAB10 0.25 A 0.29 A 49 MAB14 0.23 A 0.25 A 31 MAB19 0.24 A 0.26 A 37 MAB2 0.24 A 0.26 A 34 MAB20 0.25 A 0.29 A 52 MAB25 0.24 A 0.27 A 42 MAB36 0.25 A 0.28 A 45 MAB43 0.22 B 0.25 B 28 MAB50 0.25 A 0.28 A 46 MAB6 0.24 A 0.27 A 41 MAB7 0.22 B 0.27 A 38 MAB9 0.23 A 0.26 A 34 Table 113; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 114 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.14 B 0.14 B MAB10 0.14 B 0.31 A 122 MAB20 0.13 B 0.21 A 49 MAB25 0.15 B 0.33 A 138 MAB9 0.15 B 0.20 A 45 Table 114; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 115 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.21 B 0.21 B MAB20 0.23 B 0.34 A 67 MAB9 0.22 B 0.44 A 114 Table 115; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 116 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of Signifi- % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event cance of best event GUI 0.34 B 0.34 B MAB18 0.37 B 0.46 A 35 MAB3_GA 0.34 B 0.43 A 26 MAB35 0.43 A 0.55 A 62 MAB46 0.39 B 0.49 A 42 MAB99 0.34 B 0.43 A 26 Table 116; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 117 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.16 B 0.16 B MAB1 0.22 A 0.26 A 66 MAB18 0.20  A* 0.23  A* 44 MAB46 0.25 A 0.45 A 185 MAB146 0.20  A* 0.22  A* 42 Table 117; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 118 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) 80 mM NaCl, Day 8 from planting % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.08 B 0.08 B MAB35 0.10 B 0.13 A 57 MAB46 0.10 B 0.14 A 64 MAB146 0.10 B 0.14 A 66 MAB99 0.10 B 0.13 A 56 Table 118; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 119-121 depict analyses of RGR of Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 119 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.35 B 0.35 B MAB14 0.34 B 0.63 A 82 MAB25 0.44 B 0.83 A 137 MAB36 0.43 B 0.77 A 120 MAB6 0.24 B 0.70 A 102 Table 119; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 120 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.32 B 0.32 B MAB10 0.32 B 0.56 A 74 Table 120; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 121 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.39 B 0.39 B MAB13 0.41 B 0.57 A 49 MAB15 0.46  A* 0.54 A 40 MAB17 0.46  A* 0.50  A* 30 Table 121; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Table 122 depicts analyses of RGR of Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 122 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] 80 mM NaCl, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.28 B 0.28 B MAB2 0.41 B 0.80 A 184 MAB43 0.46 B 0.83 A 195 MAB44 0.40 B 0.73 A 160 Table 122; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Table 123 depicts analyses of Plot Dry weight (DW) in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 123 Dry Weight [g] 80 mM NaCl LSM of Signifi- % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event cance of best event GUI 4.00 B 4.00 B MAB1 4.92 A 6.40 A 60 MAB134 4.35 B 5.35 A 34 MAB15 4.42 B 5.57 A 39 MAB18 4.52 B 5.35 A 34 MAB3_GA 4.53 B 5.47 A 37 Table 123; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 124-126 depict analyses of 1000 Seeds Weight in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 124 1000 Seeds Weight [g] 80 mM NaCl LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB14 0.02 B 0.03 A 32 MAB19 0.02 B 0.03 A 27 MAB2 0.02 B 0.03 A 24 MAB6 0.03 A 0.03 A 53 Table 124; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 125 1000 Seeds Weight [g] 80 mM NaCl LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB20 0.02  A* 0.02 A 17 MAB25 0.02 B 0.02 A 20 MAB6 0.02  A* 0.02 A 21 MAB7 0.02 B 0.02 A 21 MAB9 0.02 B 0.02 A 19 Table 125; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 126 1000 Seeds Weight [g] 80 mM NaCl % improvement LSM of Signifi- % improvement LSM of best event Best event cance of best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB100 0.02 B 0.02 A 28 MAB134 0.02 B 0.02 A 26 MAB17 0.02 B 0.02 A 23 MAB18 0.02 B 0.02 A 17 MAB32 0.02 B 0.02 A 13 MAB4 0.02 B 0.02 A 19 MAB46 0.02 B 0.02 A 18 MAB99 0.02 B 0.02 A 15 Table 126; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 127-129 depict analyses of Seed Yield per Plant in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 127 Seed Yield per Plant [g] 80 mM NaCl LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.07 B 0.07 B MAB44 0.11 B 0.22 A 210 MAB50 0.11 B 0.19 A 170 Table 127; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 128 Seed Yield per Plant [g] 80 mM NaCl % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.09 B 0.09 B MAB6 0.11  A* 0.21 A 142 MAB9 0.09 B 0.14 A 59 Table 128; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 129 Seed Yield per Plant [g] 80 mM NaCl Signi- LSM of Signi- % improvement Gene ID LSM ficance Best event ficance of best event GUI 0.14 B 0.14 B MAB1 0.19 A 0.33 A 139 MAB100 0.17 B 0.24 A 79 Table 129; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Table 130 depicts analyses of Harvest Index in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 130 Harvest Index 80 mM NaCl LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.11 B   0.11 B MAB25 0.16 B   0.26 A 139 MAB44 0.20 A* 0.30 A 174 MAB7 0.12 B   0.29 A 172 Table 130; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 131-140 depict analyses of Rosette Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 131 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 1.37 B 1.37 B MAB1 1.43 B 1.80 A 31 MAB9 1.32 B 1.74 A 27 Table 131; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 132 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 4.73 B 4.73 B MAB1 4.95 B 6.45 A 36 Table 132; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 133 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 8.45 B  8.45 B MAB1 8.87 B 11.11 A 31 Table 133; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 134 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 1.65 B 1.65 B MAB1 2.09 A 2.27 A 37 MAB36 1.65 B 2.58 A 56 MAB7 1.83 B 2.81 A 70 Table 134; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 135 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 2.93 B   2.93 B   MAB1 3.60 A* 3.78 A* 29 MAB36 2.91 B   4.55 A   55 MAB7 3.14 B   4.69 A   60 Table 135; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 136 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 7.73 B  7.73 B MAB1 9.77 A 10.58 A 37 MAB36 8.05 B 12.12 A 57 MAB7 8.69 B 12.82 A 66 Table 136; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 137 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.55 B   0.55 B MAB1 0.58 B   0.81 A 47 MAB100 0.60 B   0.74 A 34 MAB15 0.65 A* 0.90 A 64 MAB17 0.55 B   0.85 A 55 Table 137; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 138 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting Signi- LSM of Signi- % improvement Gene Id LSM ficance Best event ficance of best event GUI 1.03 B 1.03 B MAB1 1.17 B 1.54 A 49 MAB100 1.18 B 1.46 A 42 MAB15 1.23 A 1.67 A 62 MAB17 1.01 B 1.59 A 54 Table 138; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 139 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting Signi- LSM of Signi- % improvement Gene Id LSM ficance Best event ficance of best event GUI 2.09 B 2.09 B MAB1 2.46 B 3.43 A 64 MAB100 2.29 B 2.81 A 34 MAB15 2.60 A 3.63 A 73 MAB17 2.06 B 3.35 A 60 Table 139; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 140 Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting Signi- LSM of Signi- % improvement Gene Id LSM ficance Best event ficance of best event GUI 4.81 B   4.81 B MAB1 5.57 A* 8.29 A 72 MAB15 5.72 A   8.05 A 67 MAB17 4.78 B   7.50 A 56 Table 140; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 141-148 depict analyses of Rosette Diameter in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 141 Rosette Area [cm] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 3.52 B 3.52 B MAB1 3.58 B 4.17 A 18 Table 141; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 142 Rosette Area [cm] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 2.28 B 2.28 B MAB36 2.23 B 2.91 A 28 MAB7 2.47 B 3.11 A 36 Table 142; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 143 Rosette Area [cm] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 2.99 B 2.99 B MAB7 3.24 B 4.08 A 36 Table 143; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 144 Rosette Diameter [cm] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 5.00 B   5.00 B   MAB1 5.65 A* 5.87 A* 17 MAB7 5.06 B   6.32 A   26 Table 144; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 145 Rosette Diameter [cm] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 1.30 B 1.30 B MAB15 1.48 A 1.69 A 30 MAB17 1.33 B 1.60 A 23 Table 145; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 146 Rosette Diameter [cm] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 1.87 B 1.87 B MAB1 1.86 B 2.21 A 18 MAB15 1.96 B 2.29 A 22 MAB17 1.78 B 2.26 A 21 Table 146; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 147 Rosette Diameter [cm] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 2.49 B MAB1 2.60 B 3.14 A 26 MAB15 2.64 B 3.17 A 27 MAB17 2.39 B 3.09 A 24 Table 147; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 148 Rosette Diameter [cm] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 3.49 B   3.49 B MAB1 3.88 A* 4.81 A 38 MAB15 3.78 B   4.52 A 29 MAB17 3.53 B   4.45 A 27 Table 148; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 149-157 depict analyses of Leaf Average Area in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 149 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.17 B 0.17 B MAB1 0.17 B 0.21 A 27 Table 149; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 150 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.51 B 0.51 B MAB1 0.52 B 0.69 A 35 Table 150; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 151 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.19 B   0.19 B MAB1 0.25 A   0.27 A 38 MAB36 0.20 B   0.31 A 58 MAB7 0.23 A* 0.33 A 67 Table 151; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 152 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.32 B 0.32 B MAB1 0.38 B 0.43 A 34 MAB36 0.32 B 0.46 A 43 MAB7 0.33 B 0.47 A 45 Table 152; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 153 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.69 B 0.69 B MAB36 0.69 B 0.93 A 36 MAB7 0.79 B 1.17 A 71 Table 153; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 154 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB1 0.12 B 0.15 A 28 MAB15 0.13 B 0.17 A 53 MAB17 0.11 B 0.15 A 34 Table 154; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 155 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of Signifi- % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event cance of best event GUI 0.16 B   0.16 B MAB1 0.17 B   0.21 A 26 MAB100 0.18 B   0.21 A 30 MAB15 0.18 A* 0.23 A 39 MAB17 0.16 B   0.22 A 35 Table 155; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 156 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.24 B   0.24 B MAB1 0.28 A* 0.37 A 50 MAB15 0.29 A* 0.37 A 53 MAB17 0.25 B   0.34 A 40 Table 156; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 157 Leaf Average [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.54 B 0.54 B MAB1 0.57 B 0.80 A 49 MAB15 0.59 B 0.78 A 45 MAB17 0.51 B 0.74 A 37 Table 157; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 158-166 depict analyses of RGR Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] of plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 158 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM of % improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 1.73 B 1.73 B MAB20 2.18 B 3.62 A 109 MAB43 2.04 B 3.80 A 119 MAB50 2.25 B 3.81 A 120 Table 158; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 159 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM of % Gene Signifi- Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.48 B 0.48 B MAB2 0.58  A* 0.70 A 45 MAB43 0.62 A 0.75 A 56 MAB6 0.52 B 0.72 A 50 Table 159; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 160 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM of % Gene Signifi- Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.84 B 0.84 B MAB50 0.87 B 0.99 A 18 MAB6 0.87 B 1.06 A 26 Table 160; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 161 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.39 B 0.39 B MAB10 0.44 B 0.54 A 37 MAB36 0.45 B 0.51 A 30 MAB50 0.45  A* 0.53 A 35 MAB6 0.44 B 0.60 A 51 MAB7 0.43 B 0.50 A 27 Table 161; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 162 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.39 B 0.39 B MAB20 0.38 B 0.50 A 28 MAB25 0.39 B 0.53 A 38 Table 162; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 163 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.55 B 0.55 B MAB10 0.64  A* 0.71  A* 30 MAB2 0.63  A* 0.70 A 28 MAB20 0.63  A* 0.67  A* 21 MAB25 0.64 A 0.73 A 32 MAB44 0.65 A 0.77 A 41 MAB50 0.70 A 0.83 A 51 MAB6 0.63  A* 0.81 A 48 MAB7 0.61 B 0.73 A 34 MAB9 0.60 B 0.69 A 26 Table 163; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 164 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.45 B 0.45 B MAB13 0.63 A 0.68  A* 49 MAB32 0.50 B 0.74 A 64 MAB46 0.52 B 0.75 A 65 MAB146 0.64 A 0.88 A 94 MAB99 0.52 B 0.73 A 61 Table 164; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 165 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.34 B 0.34 B MAB1 0.36 B 0.45 A 31 MAB99 0.33 B 0.43 A 28 Table 165; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 166 RGR of Rosette Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.66 B 0.66 B MAB13 0.73 B 0.81 A 23 MAB3_GA 0.70 B 0.85 A 29 MAB32 0.70 B 0.86 A 31 MAB99 0.68 B 0.82 A 25 Table 166; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 167-175 depict analyses of RGR of Rosette Diameter in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 167 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.43 B 0.43 B MAB50 0.70  A* 1.50 A 251 MAB6 0.45 B 1.21 A 183 Table 167; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 168 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.16 B 0.16 B MAB10 0.19  A* 0.21  A* 28 MAB19 0.20 A 0.23 A 45 MAB36 0.18 B 0.21 A 32 MAB50 0.17 B 0.23 A 42 MAB6 0.18 B 0.25 A 57 MAB7 0.18 B 0.24 A 52 Table 168; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 169 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.25 B 0.25 B MAB10 0.28 A 0.30 A 19 MAB14 0.27 B 0.31 A 23 MAB19 0.28 A 0.32 A 29 MAB2 0.27 B 0.30 A 21 MAB20 0.27 B 0.29 A 18 MAB36 0.27  A* 0.32 A 28 MAB43 0.25 B 0.26 B 5 MAB44 0.26 B 0.30 A 21 MAB50 0.27 B 0.30 A 21 MAB7 0.28  A* 0.29 A 17 MAB9 0.27  A* 0.30 A 20 Table 169; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 170 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.17 B 0.17 B MAB19 0.19  A* 0.23 A 31 MAB2 0.20 A 0.23 A 32 MAB20 0.19 A 0.23 A 33 MAB43 0.19 B 0.21 A 24 MAB44 0.18 B 0.22 A 25 MAB50 0.20 A 0.23 A 32 MAB6 0.19  A* 0.24 A 42 MAB9 0.18 B 0.21 A 25 Table 170; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 171 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.16 B 0.16 B MAB50 0.19 B 0.22 A 42 MAB6 0.15 B 0.24 A 49 Table 171; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 172 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.22 B 0.22 B MAB2 0.26  A* 0.28 A 27 MAB20 0.26 B 0.30 A 33 MAB25 0.26  A* 0.29  A* 31 MAB43 0.24 B 0.29 A 29 MAB44 0.25 B 0.29 A 31 Table 172; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 173 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 3 from planting LSM % Gene Signifi- of Best Signifi- improvement Id LSM cance event cance of best event GUI 0.29 B 0.29 B MAB100 0.37  A* 0.51 a 74 MAB13 0.38 A 0.58 A 95 MAB15 0.36 A 0.45 A 54 MAB18 0.36  A* 0.38  A* 28 MAB3_GA 0.43 A 0.60 A 105 MAB35 0.39 A 0.44 A 50 MAB46 0.31 B 0.49 A 65 MAB146 0.35 A 0.44 A 50 Table 173; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 174 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.11 B 0.11 B MAB1 0.13  A* 0.16 A 49 MAB13 0.13  A* 0.16 A 41 MAB18 0.14 A 0.16 A 45 MAB32 0.13 B 0.15 A 39 MAB146 0.16 A 0.19 A 72 MAB99 0.12 B 0.15 A 40 Table 174; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 175 RGR of Rosette Diameter [cm]) Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting % LSM of improvement Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance of best event GUI 0.20 B 0.20 B MAB1 0.25 A 0.27 A 30 MAB17 0.24 A 0.26  A* 25 MAB18 0.25 A 0.31 A 51 MAB35 0.25 A 0.28 A 36 MAB146 0.25 A 0.28 A 36 MAB99 0.24 A 0.29 A 44 Table 175; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 176-178 depict analyses of RGR of Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 176 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting % LSM of Best improvement Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance of best event GUI 0.34 B 0.34 B MAB10 0.35 B 0.52 A 56 MAB36 0.40 B 0.52 A 55 MAB7 0.37 B 0.50 A 49 Table 176; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI). The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 177 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 10 from planting % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.38 B 0.38 B MAB10 0.47 A 0.51  A* 35 MAB2 0.41 B 0.49 A 29 MAB25 0.43 B 0.55 A 44 MAB50 0.47 A 0.53 A 41 MAB7 0.45  A* 0.50  A* 31 MAB9 0.43 B 0.54 A 41 Table 177; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI). The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 178 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting % improvement LSM of of Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance best event GUI 0.23 B 0.23 B MAB13 0.34  A* 0.39  A* 70 MAB146 0.35  A* 0.50 A 117 MAB99 0.26 B 0.44 A 89 Table 178; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI). The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 179-180 depict analyses of RGR of Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 179 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 5 from planting % improvement LSM of Gene Id LSM Significance of Best event Significance best event GUI 0.31 B 0.31 B MAB19 0.35 B 0.48 A 56 MAB43 0.39 B 0.52 A 70 MAB6 0.28 B 0.50 A 62 Table 179; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 180 RGR of Mean(Leaf Average Area [cm{circumflex over ( )}2] Normal conditions, Day 8 from planting % improvement LSM of Gene Id LSM Significance of Best event Significance best event GUI 0.69 B 0.69 B MAB14 0.72 B 0.92 A 32 MAB6 0.69 B 0.96 A 38 Table 180; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 181-182 depict analyses of Plot Dry weight (DW) in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 181 Dry Weight [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Gene Id LSM Significance of Best event Significance best event GUI 7.75 B 7.75 B MAB36 10.37  A* 13.21 A 71 Table 181; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 182 Dry Weight [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Gene Id LSM Significance of Best event Significance best event GUI 5.23 B 5.23 B MAB1 6.81 A 8.09 A 55 MAB13 6.08 B 7.61 A 45 MAB18 6.10 B 8.18 A 56 MAB99 6.51  A* 8.42 A 61 Table 182; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 183-185 depict analyses of 1000 Seeds Weight in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 183 1000 Seeds Weight [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB19 0.02 B 0.03 A 23 MAB2 0.02 B 0.03 A 44 MAB20 0.02 A 0.04 A 71 MAB36 0.02 B 0.03 A 24 MAB50 0.02 B 0.03 A 32 MAB6 0.02 B 0.03 A 22 MAB9 0.02 A 0.02 A 19 Table 183; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 184 1000 Seeds Weight [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB20 0.02  A* 0.02 A 17 MAB6 0.02  A* 0.02 A 21 Table 184; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 185 1000 Seeds Weight [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of of Gene Id LSM Significance Best event Significance best event GUI 0.02 B 0.02 B MAB100 0.02 B 0.02 A 23 MAB17 0.02 A 0.03 A 33 MAB18 0.02 B 0.02 A 18 MAB35 0.02 B 0.02 A 28 MAB46 0.02 A 0.02 A 21 MAB99 0.02 A 0.03 A 37 Table 185; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Tables 186-187 depict analyses of Seed Yield per Plant in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 186 Seed Yield per Plant [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.38 B 0.38 B MAB1 0.50 B 0.61 A 61 MAB10 0.46 B 0.59 A 53 MAB14 0.50  A* 0.60 A 57 MAB36 0.52 A 0.68 A 77 MAB50 0.46 B 0.60 A 56 Table 186; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

TABLE 187 Seed Yield per Plant [g] Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.32 B 0.32 B MAB1 0.41  A* 0.49 A 53 MAB13 0.43 A 0.55 A 69 MAB18 0.39 B 0.49 A 53 MAB32 0.41 B 0.50 A 56 MAB35 0.41  A* 0.50 A 57 MAB99 0.41  A* 0.51 A 57 Table 187; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants is provided in Table 3 above.

Table 188 depicts analyses of Harvest Index in plants overexpressing the polynucleotides of the invention under the regulation of 6669 promoter. Each Table represents an independent experiment, using 4 independent events per gene. Genes not connected by same letter as the control (A, B,) are significantly different from the control.

TABLE 188 Harvest Index Normal conditions % improvement LSM of Best of Gene Id LSM Significance event Significance best event GUI 0.48 B 0.48 B MAB17 0.46 B 0.62 A 28 Table 188; LSM = Least square mean; % improvement = compare to control (GUI); A meaning significant different at P < 0.05, A* meaning significant different at P < 0.1. The SEQ ID NOs. of the cloned genes (according to the Gene Id) which are exogenously expressed in the plants are provided in Table 3 above.

Example 8 Transformation of Tomato M82 Plants with Putative ABST Genes

For the tomato transformation, tomato M82 seeds were previously sterilized with Na-hipochloride 3%+2-3 drops of Tween 20 (Polysorbate 20). Seeds were washed 3 times with distilled sterile water. Seeds were then germinated in full strength Nitsch medium and germinated for 8 days 8 days in growth room at 25° C. in the dark. Plantlets were then cut with 2-4 cm stem and insert it into a10-cm Petri dishes that were filled with 30-40 ml of MS liquid medium. Cotyledons were then cut and used as explants and later transferred onto KCMS solidified medium with 100 μM acetosyringone in a 10-cm Petri dish. Explants were inoculated with A. tumefascience for 30-50 minutes. Explants were co-cultivated for 24 hours and transferred to regeneration media including Kanamycin as selection medium. The resistant regenerated plantlets were then transferred into a rooting medium for 10-14 days until the appearance of the roots.

Example 9 Growth of M82 Tomato Transformed Plants and Phenotype Characterizations Experimental Procedures

Producing Transgenic Tomato Plants

Plants were transformed as described in Example 8, above. Following transformation, T₁ M82 tomato plants were grown until fruit set. T₂ seeds have entered experiments to assess abiotic stress resistance.

Experimental Results

Assay 1—Tomato Field Trial Under Regular and Water Deficient Regimes

The tomato field trial was planned as a one source dripping irrigation (OSDI) system similar to a standard farmer field. Since water deficiency is applied in a relatively uniform manner, it allows measuring the effect of drought on small size populations of plants. The OSDI method was developed on the basis of the line source sprinklers irrigation system (Hanks et al. 1976 Soil Sci. Soc Am. J. 40 p. 426-429) with some significant modifications. Instead of sprinkler irrigation, dripping irrigation was used. In order to create a uniform and deep wet layer (at least 60 cm depth), and not the onion shape layer that is typically created by dripping irrigation, a low pressure compensating dripping irrigation system was used. This system enables to supply small amounts of water in a relatively long time frame. The drought stress field trial was performed in light soil, in an open field (net-house) near Rehovot, Israel. Between 4 to 5 events are been evaluated for each gene and the null segregating populations are used as negative controls. During the first three weeks all plants were grown in a nursery under normal irrigation conditions. After this period, plants were transplanted according to commercial growth protocol, maintaining a 30 cm distance between plants reaching a total density of 2,600 plants per 1000 sq. m (the recommended density in commercial growth). Each plant was transplanted near a water dripper and further subjected to two different treatments:

Optimal (100%): optimal irrigation conditions (100%). Irrigation was applied every 2 days as a standard recommended water supply. Standard recommended water supply is the amount applied by local commercial growers according to standard protocols.

Severe Stress (50%): 50% of the optimal amount of water irrigation was applied once a day (at same time as regular irrigation is applied)

All fertilizers were applied according to local standard protocols. Nitrogen was equally applied, as recommended, to all the treatments through the irrigation system. Each row, 193 cm wide, contained two dripping irrigation lines creating coverage of six drippers per 1 sq. m. The irrigation control was performed separately for each treatment. The experiment was structured in a four randomized block design, eight plants per plot. The different water regimes were initiated only four weeks three transplantation, when plants initiated the flowering stage. Water availability in the soil was recorded using tensiometers (used to determine matric water potential Ψm which allows to evaluate the stress severeness).

Assay 2—Tomato Salt Bath Experiment

Transgenic tomato seeds are sown in trays containing growth denitrified media. Seedlings are germinated under nursery conditions. The experimental model used was 3 blocks random distributed, where 10 plants per events were sown in each block. At the stage of first true leaf, trays are transferred to different “tanks” containing growth solution of 300 mM NaCl. For normal treatment, a full Hoagland solution was applied. 5 events for each gene are evaluated while null segregating populations are used as negative controls. The experiment is performed for a period of 8 weeks, where parameters such as chlorophyll content (measured as SPAD units), plant biomass (FW and DW) are measured.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

REFERENCES CITED Additional References are Cited Hereinabove

-   1. World Wide Web (dot) fao (dot) org/ag/agl/agll/spush/degrad (dot)     htm. -   2. World Wide Web (dot) fao (dot)     org/ag/agl/aglw/watermanagement/introduc (dot) stm. -   3. McCue K F, Hanson A D (1990). Drought and salt tolerance: towards     understanding and application. Trends Biotechnol 8: 358-362. -   4. Flowers T J, Yeo Ar (1995). Breeding for salinity resistance in     crop plants: where next? Aust J Plant Physiol 22:875-884. -   5. Nguyen B D, Brar D S, Bui B C, Nguyen T V, Pham L N, Nguyen H T     (2003). Identification and mapping of the QTL for aluminum tolerance     introgressed from the new source, ORYZA RUFIPOGON Griff., into     indica rice (Oryza sativa L.). Theor Appl Genet. 106:583-93. -   6. Sanchez A C, Subudhi P K, Rosenow D T, Nguyen H T (2002). Mapping     QTLs associated with drought resistance in sorghum (Sorghum     bicolor L. Moench). Plant Mol Biol. 48:713-26. -   7. Quesada V, Garcia-Martinez S, Piqueras P, Ponce M R, Micol J L     (2002). Genetic architecture of NaCl tolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant     Physiol. 130:951-963. -   8. Apse M P, Blumwald E (2002). Engineering salt tolerance in     plants. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 13:146-150. -   9. Rontein D, Basset G, Hanson A D (2002). Metabolic engineering of     osmoprotectant accumulation in plants. Metab Eng 4:49-56 -   10. Clough S J, Bent A F (1998). Floral dip: a simplified method for     Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant     J 16:735-43. -   11. Desfeux C, Clough S J, Bent A F (2000). Female reproductive     tissues are the primary target of Agrobacterium-mediated     transformation by the Arabidopsis floral-dip method. Plant Physiol     123:895-904. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of increasing abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant as compared to the abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, comprising: (a) over-expressing within the plant a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO: 271, and (b) selecting said plants resultant of step (a) for: (i) an increased biomass, growth rate, seed yield, and/or nitrogen use efficiency under normal conditions as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, (ii) an increased tolerance to nitrogen deficiency as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, and/or (iii) an increased seed yield and/or rosette growth rate under salinity stress as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, thereby increasing the abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency of the plant as compared to the abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency of the control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions.
 2. A method of producing a crop, comprising growing a crop plant over-expressing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO: 271, wherein said crop plant is derived from parent plants selected for increased tolerance to nitrogen deficiency, increased seed yield under salinity stress, increased rosette growth rate under salinity stress, increased seed yield under normal conditions, increased biomass under normal conditions, increased growth rate under normal conditions and/or increased nitrogen use efficiency as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, wherein said crop plant has said increased tolerance to nitrogen deficiency, said increased seed yield under salinity stress, said increased rosette growth rate under salinity stress, said increased seed yield under normal conditions, said increased biomass under normal conditions, said increased growth rate under normal conditions and/or said increased nitrogen use efficiency, thereby producing the crop.
 3. A method of selecting a plant having increased abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, the method comprising: (a) providing plants transformed with a nucleic acid construct comprising a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO: 271, and a heterologous promoter for directing transcription of said nucleic acid sequence in a plant cell, and; (b) selecting said plants of step (a) for: (i) an increased biomass, growth rate, seed yield, and/or nitrogen use efficiency under normal conditions as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, (ii) an increased tolerance to nitrogen deficiency as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, and/or (iii) an increased seed yield and/or rosette growth rate under salinity stress as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, thereby selecting the plant having increased abiotic stress tolerance, seed yield, biomass, growth rate and/or nitrogen use efficiency as compared to the control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: (c) growing a crop of said plant transformed with the nucleic acid construct.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said growing comprises seeding seeds and/or planting plantlets of said plant transformed with the nucleic acid construct.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is set forth by SEQ ID NO: 1559 or
 81. 7. A method of increasing root length, root coverage, growth rate of rosette area, growth rate of rosette diameter, and/or increased seed yield of a plant as compared to the root length, root coverage, growth rate of rosette area, growth rate of rosette diameter, and/or seed yield of a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, comprising: (a) over-expressing within the plant a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO: 271, and (b) selecting said plants resultant of step (a) for: (i) an increased root length, root coverage, growth rate of rosette area, and/or seed yield under normal conditions as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, (ii) an increased growth rate of rosette diameter, growth rate of rosette area and/or seed yield under salinity stress as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, and/or (iii) an increased root coverage under nitrogen deficiency as compared to a control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions, thereby increasing the root length, root coverage, growth rate of rosette area, growth rate of rosette diameter, and/or seed yield of the plant as compared to the root length, root coverage, growth rate of rosette area, growth rate of rosette diameter, and/or seed yield of the control plant of the same species which is grown under the same growth conditions. 